SOCIETE BIC REPORTS 1995 YEAR-END RESULTS.

CLICHY, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1996--Societe BIC announced today a reduction in net sales of 6% due mainly to the devaluation of the U.S. Dollar versus the French Franc and the sale of SOFAB. At constant exchange rates and adjusting for the sale of SOFAB in 1994, sales actually would have increased by 4%. North and South America showed modest sales gains and good improvements in profits despite adverse economic conditions in Central and South America. Excluding SOFAB, sales and profits in European operations made modest gains.

The sailboard business had a disappointing year with increased losses despite increased sales.

Guy Laroche reported higher losses than last year on a 6% reduction in sales. Continued costs of the restructuring, including the withdrawal from haute couture and the repositioning of the two main brands, adversely affected results.

Net interest income increased sharply reflecting higher cash balances for most of the year, largely due to the proceeds from the disposal of SOFAB at the end of 1994.

Exceptional expense primarily reflects the costs of the acquisition of the minority shares of BIC Corporation and reserves for restructuring.

At the Annual Shareholders' Meeting the Board will propose the payment of a total dividend for the year of FRF 10 per share, equivalent to a total revenue FRF 15 per share including the related tax credit. This represents an increase of 11% over 1994 after adjustment for the two-for-one stock split carried out in September 1995, which was effected cum dividend January 1, 1995.

An interim dividend of FRF 5 per share was paid on January 16, 1996. The final dividend of FRF 5 per share will be payable on July 15, 1996.

All the employees of Societe BIC are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Claude Bich, Director and Executive Vice-President of the company, on March 17, 1996. They pay tribute to his accomplishments particularly in the development of the technology of writing instruments and shavers. -0-

BIC WORLDWIDE GROUP
  (in millions of French         1995        1994        % Change
          Francs)

Net sales(1)                     5,993       6,400           -6
Income from operations(1)        1,054       1,135           -7
Net interest income                153          73         +110
Provision for corporate taxes      414         446           -7
Net income before
 exceptional
 items and after minority interest 636         580          +10
Exceptional income net of
 income
 taxes and minority interest(2)    ---         339          n.c
Exceptional expense net of
 income taxes and minority
 interest(3)                        38         156          n.c
Net income after minority
 interest                          598         763          -22

Earnings per share:
   (in French Francs)(4)
Net income before
 exceptional
 items and after minority
 interest                        23.00       20.96          +10
Net income after exceptional
 items                           21.62       27.59          -22

Number of shares
 outstanding(4)             27,648,000  27,648,000          ---

  (in millions of French
          Francs)

Cash flow                        1,091       1,150           -5
Capital investments                496         485           +2

FINANCIAL DATA BY DIVISIONS        BIC                 GUY LAROCHE
  (in millions of French       1995    1994          1995        1994
          Francs)
Net sales                      5,665    6,052         328         348
Income from operations         1,098    1,171         (44)        (36)

(1) For 1994 includes sales of 209 and income from operations of

61 from SOFAB, sold in 1994. (2) Capital gains mainly on the sale of SOFAB. (3) Reserve for restructuring costs. In 1995 also includes

expenses incurred in the acquisition of the minority shares of BIC

Corporation. (4) As of September 1995, two-for-one stock split cum dividend

January 1, 1995.

CONTACT: ARTHUR SCHMIDT & ASSOCIATES, INC.

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