Moore-Handley: Earnings News Release

                       



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For: Moore-Handley, Inc.                      Contact: Peter B. Covert
     P.O. Box 2607                                     (205) 663-8408
     Birmingham, AL 35202

MOORE-HANDLEY REPORTS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

BIRMINGHAM, AL... March 10 - Moore-Handley, Inc. (NASDAQ-MHCO) a Birmingham,
Alabama based distributor of hardware and home-center products, reported 1999
annual net income of $299,000, an increase of 86% over 1998, on a sales
increase from $159.0 millions in 1998 to $167.2 millions in 1999 or five per
cent.  Earnings per share increased from nine cents to 16 cents.

The company noted that the earnings increase took place despite significant
start-up expense for its commercial, industrial and paint store distribution
operations and for hardware, software and training components related to
installation of electronic communications and control of both its internal and
external processes.


Summary results of operations follow:

                                           Summary Statement of Operations    
                                       (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                              
                                      Quarter Ended       Twelve Months Ended 
                                       December 31              December 31
                                    1999         1998         1999       1998

Sales                             $36,283       $41,814     $167,217   $159,027

Total gross margin                  6,692         6,261       26,907     24,323
Warehouse & delivery expense        2,472         2,479       10,822      9,374
   Gross profit                     4,220         3,782       16,085     14,949
Selling & administrative expense    3,213         3,216       14,234     13,315
   Operating income                 1,007           566        1,851      1,634
Interest expense                      393           286        1,407      1,337
Income before provision
   for income tax                     614           280          444        297
Income tax                            209           129          145        136
   
Net income                        $   405       $   151     $    299   $    161

   Net income per share           $   .21       $   .08     $    .16   $    .09

Weighted average common
   Shares outstanding           1,912,000     1,862,000    1,883,000  1,861,000

031000
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