PLEASANTON, Calif., Jan. 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO) today announced that consistent with the plan approved by its board of directors to pay annual dividends, the Company declared a semi-annual dividend of 3 cents per share, payable on February 5, 2009, to stockholders of record on January 19, 2009.

ABOUT THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.

The Cooper Companies, Inc. (www.coopercos.com) manufactures and markets specialty healthcare products through its CooperVision and CooperSurgical units. Corporate offices are in Pleasanton, CA.

CooperVision, Inc. (www.coopervision.com) develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of contact lenses for the worldwide vision correction market. Headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, it manufactures in: Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico; Norfolk, VA; Rochester, NY; Adelaide, Australia; Hamble and Hampshire, England; and Madrid, Spain.

CooperSurgical, Inc. (www.coopersurgical.com) develops, manufactures and markets medical devices, diagnostic products and surgical instruments and accessories used primarily by gynecologists and obstetricians. Its major manufacturing and distribution facilities are in Trumbull, CT, and Stafford TX.

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CONTACT:  The Cooper Companies, Inc.
          Kim Duncan, Director, Investor Relations
          925-460-3663
          ir@coopercompanies.com