Contact:          Barbara B. Lucas
                                                Senior Vice President
                                                Public Affairs
                                                410-716-2980

                                                Mark M. Rothleitner
                                                Vice President
                                                Investor Relations and Treasurer
                                                410-716-3979


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 6, 2004

Subject:  Black & Decker  Increases  EPS  Guidance  for  First  Quarter  2004 to
          $0.90-to-$0.93

Towson,  MD - The Black & Decker  Corporation  (NYSE: BDK) today announced that,
due to strong  demand in its North  American  businesses,  it  expects to report
sales growth of 16% for the first  quarter of 2004, or mid  single-digit  growth
excluding  currency  translation and acquisitions.  As a result, it expects that
first-quarter  diluted earnings per share from continuing  operations will be in
the  $0.90-to-$0.93   range,  versus  prior  guidance  of  $0.65-to-$0.70.   The
Corporation reported diluted earnings per share of $0.55 in the first quarter of
2003.

     The Corporation will discuss the outlook for the remainder of 2004 during a
conference  call on  Tuesday,  April 20,  2004,  following  the  release  of its
first-quarter 2004 results.  The call is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., E.T.,
and will be webcast  "live" over the Internet.  Investors can listen to the call
by visiting  www.bdk.com  and clicking on the icon labeled "Live Webcast." It is
recommended that listeners log-in at least ten minutes prior to the beginning of
the call to assure timely access.  A webcast replay of the conference  call will
be available at www.bdk.com.

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     This  release  includes  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of
Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and  Section  21E of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. By their nature,  all  forward-looking  statements involve
risks  and  uncertainties.  For a more  detailed  discussion  of the  risks  and
uncertainties  that may affect Black & Decker's  operating and financial results
and its  ability to achieve the  financial  objectives  discussed  in this press
release,  interested  parties  should  review the  "Forward-Looking  Statements"
sections in Black & Decker's  reports  filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  including  the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2003.

     Black & Decker is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of power tools
and accessories,  hardware and home improvement  products,  and technology-based
fastening systems.

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