Earnings per share rise 23 percent for 2nd quarter on 17 percent revenue gain

Manpower Inc. (NYSE:MAN) today reported that net income for the three months ended June 30, 2000, rose 20 percent to $38.0 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, from $31.8 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, a year earlier. Revenues for the second quarter totaled $2.7 billion, a gain of 17 percent from the year-earlier period.

Results for 1999's second quarter included one-time items totaling a net charge of $.7 million after taxes. Excluding these items, second-quarter operating profit rose 26 percent to $69.7 million.

"Our earnings growth continues to be propelled by solid performances in continental Europe. France, the main engine in Europe, came in with a profit increase of 48% in U.S. dollars," said Manpower President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey A. Joerres. "We posted particularly strong gains in both revenues and operating profit which allowed us to overcome the weakness of the Euro. And we have been setting the stage for future global growth by extending our office reach and capabilities through strategic initiatives."

Building on the first quarter 2000 acquisition of Elan Group Ltd., a U.K. and European information-technology staffing leader, over the past two months Manpower launched The Empower Group, a new operating division which provides organizational performance consulting services to major multinational firms worldwide, and announced a strategic alliance with SHL Group plc, the world leader in employee testing and assessment.

"Through these actions, we are positioning Manpower to deliver even greater value to our customers and shareholders," Joerres said. "We are taking advantage of opportunities worldwide to enhance our capabilities and grow."

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2000, totaled $63.6 million, or 82 cents per diluted share, up 22 percent from $52.4 million, or 66 cents per diluted share, in 1999's first half. Revenues for the first half rose 17 percent to $5.3 billion, while systemwide sales grew 15 percent to $6.1 billion.

This news release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's expected future results. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those described or contemplated. Factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement can be found in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

Manpower Inc. is a world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and solutions to customers through more than 3,500 offices in 54 countries. The firm annually provides employment to more than 2 million people worldwide and is an industry leader in employee assessment and training. Manpower also offers organizational performance consulting services worldwide through its independent operating division, The Empower Group.