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Eagle Materials Inc. Reports a 72% Increase in Fourth Quarter Earnings; Sets Conference Call

     -  4th quarter and FY 2004 wallboard sales volume increased 15% and 26%,
        respectively

     -  4th quarter wallboard sales price increased 20%

     -  Eagle Materials cement companies finished their 18th consecutive
        'sold-out' year

     -  Sales allocations are anticipated during upcoming fiscal year for both
        wallboard and cement due to high demand and tight supply

     -  FY 2005 EPS guidance increased 32% to $4.75 - $5.25 per diluted share
        based on price improvement in both wallboard and cement

    DALLAS, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eagle Materials Inc.
(NYSE: EXP and EXP.B) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter
ended March 31, 2004, and for fiscal year 2004.  EXP produces and distributes
Cement, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Paperboard, and Concrete and Aggregates.
    EXP's senior management will conduct a conference call to discuss the
financial results, forward looking information and other matters at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004.  The
conference call will be webcast simultaneously on the EXP Web site,
http://www.eaglematerials.com .  A replay of the webcast and the presentation
will be archived on that site for one year.  For more information, contact EXP
at 214-432-2000.
    For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, EXP's net earnings increased 72% to
$16,111,000 or $0.85 per diluted share from $9,386,000 or $0.51 per diluted
share for the same quarter last year.  Mild weather and strong southwest
housing sales increased EXP's revenues for the fourth quarter this year to
$122,264,000, 20% greater than $101,653,000 for the same quarter a year ago.
    For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, EXP's net earnings and diluted
earnings per share were $66,901,000 or $3.57 per diluted share, 16% and 15%,
respectively, greater than $57,606,000 or $3.11 per diluted share for the
previous fiscal year.  Revenues for fiscal 2004 of $502,622,000 were 17%
greater than $429,178,000 for the previous fiscal year primarily due to
increased Wallboard sales volume.  Spin-off costs for the fourth quarter and
fiscal year were $0.03 and $0.09 per diluted share, respectively.
    During the September 30, 2003 quarter, the Company changed the method of
accounting for its two cement joint ventures from the proportionate
consolidation method to the equity method of accounting.  The change had no
effect on the Company's earnings before income taxes, net earnings, earnings
per share or retained earnings.  Under the equity method of accounting, the
Company's statements of earnings now include a single line item entitled
"Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures," which reflects the
Company's 50% interest in the results of operations of its two cement joint
ventures.  Similarly, the Company's balance sheets now include a single line
item entitled "Investment in Joint Ventures," which reflects the Company's 50%
interest in the net assets of the cement joint ventures.

    CEMENT
    Cement data presented includes combined results of EXP's wholly owned
operations and our 50% share of the two unconsolidated joint ventures (see
Attachment 4 for a reconciliation between GAAP revenues versus segment
revenues).  Cement revenues for the fourth quarter totaled $34.8 million, 9%
greater than $31.8 million for the same quarter a year ago.  Operating
earnings from Cement, increased 13% to $9.1 million for the fourth quarter
this year from $8.0 million for the same quarter last year.  The earnings gain
was due primarily to higher net sales prices and increased sales volume.
    Cement sales volume for the fourth quarter totaled 504,000 tons, 9% above
463,000 tons for the same quarter last year.  Fiscal 2004 was the Company's
eighteenth consecutive "sold-out" year.  Purchased cement sales volume of
25,400 tons for the fourth quarter were 10,700 tons greater than purchased
cement sales volume for the fourth quarter a year ago.  A January 2004 price
increase in Texas increased EXP's fourth quarter average Cement net sales
price 2% to $64.79 per ton from $63.64 per ton for the same quarter a year
ago.
    For the current fiscal year, Cement revenues were $178.6 million, up 5%
from $169.7 million for fiscal 2003.  Operating earnings from Cement were
$50.5 million for fiscal 2004, 8% below $54.7 million for last fiscal year.
The earnings decrease was due to lower average net sales prices and increased
cost of sales.  The average fiscal 2004 Cement sales price of $66.02 per ton
was 1% below $66.84 per ton for last fiscal year.
    U.S. Cement consumption remains at high levels and EXP's fiscal 2004
Cement sales volume of 2,518,000 tons was 7% greater than 2,361,000 tons sold
for fiscal 2003.  Purchased Cement sales volume of 219,400 tons for fiscal
2004 were 59,500 tons greater than purchased Cement sales volume for last
fiscal year.

    GYPSUM WALLBOARD
    Gypsum Wallboard revenues for the fourth quarter totaled $75.6 million, a
34% increase over $56.6 million for the same quarter a year ago.  Gypsum
Wallboard fourth quarter operating earnings were $13.2 million, up 352% from
$2.9 million for the same quarter last year.  The revenue and earnings gain
for the quarter resulted from increased sales volume at higher sales prices.
The average net sales price for this year's fourth quarter was $94.67 per
thousand square feet (MSF), 20% greater than $79.00 per MSF for the same
quarter last year.  Gypsum Wallboard sales volume of 632 million square feet
(MMSF) for this year's quarter was 15% above the 548 MMSF sold during the
fourth quarter last year.
    For the current fiscal year, Gypsum Wallboard revenues were $272.9
million, 28% greater than $212.8 million for fiscal 2003.  Operating earnings
of $35.6 million for fiscal 2004 were 31% above fiscal 2003 operating earnings
of $27.2 million due primarily to increased sales volume.  The fiscal 2004
average net sales price was $86.97 per MSF, slightly below $87.12 per MSF for
fiscal 2003.  Sales volume of 2,437 MMSF for fiscal 2004 was 26% greater than
1,933 MMSF sales volume for fiscal 2003.

    PAPERBOARD
    EXP's Paperboard operation reported fourth quarter revenues (including
sales to EXP's Wallboard operations -- see Attachment 4 for a detail of
intersegment revenues) of $29.3 million, up 15% from revenues of $25.5 million
for last year's fourth quarter.  Paperboard operating earnings of $5.6 million
for the fourth quarter this year were 2% below $5.7 million for last year's
fourth quarter.  The earnings decline resulted primarily from higher
production costs.
    For this year's fourth quarter, Paperboard sales volume was 66,000 tons,
up 10% from last year's sales volume of 60,000 tons.  This year's fourth
quarter average net sales price of $438.55 per ton was 5% above last year's
fourth quarter net sales price of $419.60 per ton.
    Paperboard revenues for fiscal 2004 (including sales to EXP's Wallboard
operations -- see Attachment 4 for a detail of intersegment revenues) were
$112.4 million, a 21% improvement over revenues of $92.9 million for fiscal
2003.  For fiscal 2004, Paperboard operating earnings were $20.9 million, up
19% from $17.6 million for fiscal 2003.  The earnings gain resulted primarily
from increased sales volume and higher net sales prices.  Total Paperboard
sales volume for fiscal 2004 was 264,000 tons at an average net sales price of
$416.71 per ton, compared to 225,000 tons at an average net sales price of
$408.44 per ton for fiscal 2003.

    CONCRETE AND AGGREGATES
    Revenues from Concrete and Aggregates were $12.3 million for the quarter,
2% below $12.5 million for the fourth quarter a year ago.  Concrete and
Aggregates reported a $402,000 operating profit for this year's fourth
quarter, up 183% from $142,000 for the same quarter last year.
    Concrete sales volume for the fourth quarter this year was 151,000 cubic
yards, 5% below 159,000 cubic yards for the same quarter last year.  EXP's
Concrete average net sales price of $53.62 per cubic yard for the current
quarter was 1% higher than $52.92 per cubic yard for the fourth quarter a year
ago.
    Aggregates operations reported sales volume of 802,000 tons for the
current quarter, slightly above sales volume of 793,000 tons for the fourth
quarter last year.  Aggregates average net sales price of $5.26 per ton for
the fourth quarter was 5% higher than $5.02 per ton for the fourth quarter
last year.
    Concrete and Aggregates revenues for fiscal 2004 were $62.1 million, 11%
greater than $56.0 million for fiscal 2003.  Concrete and Aggregates reported
an operating profit of $6.0 million for fiscal 2004 compared to a $268,000
operating loss for fiscal 2003.  The earnings gain was due primarily to
increased Concrete sales volume, higher Aggregates net sales prices and
decreased cost of sales.
    Concrete sales volume of 762,000 cubic yards for fiscal 2004 were 12%
greater than 681,000 cubic yards for last fiscal year.  Concrete's average net
sales price of $52.79 per cubic yard for fiscal 2004 was 2% below than fiscal
2003 average net sales price of $53.68 per cubic yard.
    Aggregates sales volume of 4,228,000 tons for fiscal 2004 was 2% greater
than fiscal 2003 sales volume of 4,159,000 tons.  The Aggregates average net
sales price of $5.24 per ton for this fiscal year was 16% higher than fiscal
2003 sales price of $4.51 per ton.

    OUTLOOK
    Cement demand in calendar 2004 is expected to remain strong.  The U.S.
Cement industry is anticipating a tight supply of imported cements due to
higher freight rates and increasing consumption in world markets.  Price
increases of $3 to $5 per ton were implemented in all of EXP's markets on
April 1, 2004, except Texas, where a $4 per ton price increase in January has
substantially held.
    Gypsum industry wallboard demand continues to remain high and supply tight
due to favorable levels of activity in residential construction and
repair/remodel construction.  The 10% price increase implemented in mid-March
2004 is substantially holding.
    Based on the above factors the Company expects to report earnings ranging
from $1.10 per diluted share to $1.20 per diluted share for the quarter ending
June 30, 2004 and $4.75 per diluted share to $5.25 per diluted share for
fiscal 2005.

    Forward-Looking Statements.  This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may be identified
by the context of the statement and generally arise when the Company is
discussing its beliefs, estimates or expectations.  These statements are not
historical facts or guarantees of future performance but instead represent
only the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made regarding
future events which are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and other
factors many of which are outside the Company's control.  Actual results and
outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such
forward-looking statements.  The principal risks and uncertainties that may
affect the company's actual performance include the following: the cyclical
and seasonal nature of the Company's business; public infrastructure
expenditures; adverse weather conditions; availability of raw materials;
changes in energy costs; unexpected operational difficulties; governmental
regulation and changes in governmental and public policy; changes in economic
conditions specific to anyone or more of the Company's markets; competition;
announced increases in capacity in the gypsum wallboard and cement industries;
general economic conditions; and interest rates.  For example, increases in
interest rates, decreases in demand for construction materials or increases in
the cost of energy could affect the revenues or operating earnings of our
operations.  In addition, changes in national and regional economic conditions
and levels of infrastructure and construction spending could also adversely
affect the Company's results of operations.  These and other factors are
described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the Company for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2003 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2003.  These reports are filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained free of charge through
the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov .  All forward-looking
statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the
risk that actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed in
this press release will increase with the passage of time.  The Company
undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future
events or changes in the Company's expectations.

     (1)  Summary of Consolidated Earnings
     (2)  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business (Quarter)
     (3)  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business (Fiscal Year)
     (4)  Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Cement Revenues
     (5)  Consolidated Balance Sheets


     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 1

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                       Summary of Consolidated Earnings
         (dollar amounts in thousands, except per diluted share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                             Quarter Ended March 31,
                                           2004        2003     Change
                                                    (Restated)**

    Revenues*                            $122,264    $101,653    +20%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes         $ 24,593    $ 14,112    +74%
    Net Earnings                         $ 16,111    $  9,386    +72%
    Earnings Per Share:
            -- Basic                     $   0.86    $   0.51    +69%
            -- Diluted                   $   0.85    $   0.51    +67%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
            -- Basic                   18,798,906  18,376,422     +2%
            -- Diluted                 18,982,165  18,448,968     +3%


                                           Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
                                           2004        2003     Change

    Revenues                             $502,622    $429,178    +17%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes         $102,123    $ 86,613    +18%
    Net Earnings                         $ 66,901    $ 57,606    +16%
    Earnings Per Share:
            -- Basic                     $   3.60    $   3.13    +15%
            -- Diluted                   $   3.57    $   3.11    +15%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
            -- Basic                   18,584,399  18,418,191     +1%
            -- Diluted                 18,736,368  18,523,561     +1%


     *  Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.

     ** The Company has restated its consolidated financial statements to
        reflect a change in the method of accounting for the cement joint
        ventures from the proportionate consolidation method to the equity
        method of accounting.  The restatement had no impact on earnings
        before income taxes, net earnings, earnings per share or retained
        earnings.


     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 2

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business
                            (dollars in thousands)
                                 (unaudited)

                                          Quarter Ended March 31,
                                       2004        2003       Change
                                                (Restated)**

    Revenues*
      Cement (Wholly Owned)          $18,281      $16,271      +12%
                                         15%          16%
      Gypsum Wallboard                75,649       56,580      +34%
                                         62%          56%
      Paperboard                      15,773       15,643       +1%
                                         13%          15%
      Concrete & Aggregates           12,284       12,472       -2%
                                         10%          12%
      Other, net                         277          687      -60%
                                          0%           1%
        Total                       $122,264     $101,653      +20%
                                        100%         100%

    Operating Earnings
      Cement:
        Wholly Owned                  $4,120       $3,416      +21%
        Joint Venture                  5,002        4,623       +8%
                                       9,122        8,039      +13%
                                         32%          46%
      Gypsum Wallboard                13,163        2,915     +352%
                                         46%          17%
      Paperboard                       5,587        5,685       -2%
                                         20%          32%
      Concrete & Aggregates              402          142     +183%
                                          1%           1%
      Other, net                         277          687      -60%
                                          1%           4%
        Total Operating Earnings      28,551       17,468      +63%
                                        100%         100%

      Corporate General Expenses      (3,283)***   (1,456)
      Interest Expense, net             (675)      (1,900)
        Earnings Before Income Taxes $24,593      $14,112      +74%


     *  Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.

     ** The Company has restated its consolidated financial statements to
        reflect a change in the method of accounting for cement joint ventures
        from the proportionate consolidated method to the equity method of
        accounting.  The restatement had no impact on earnings before income
        taxes, net earnings, earnings per share or retained earnings.

     ***Includes spin-off expenses.


     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 3


                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business
                            (dollars in thousands)
                                 (unaudited)

                                       Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
                                     2004          2003       Change

    Revenues*
      Cement (Wholly Owned)        $102,250       $97,867       +4%
                                        20%           23%
      Gypsum Wallboard              272,924       212,790      +28%
                                        54%           49%
      Paperboard                     63,110        59,939       +5%
                                        13%           14%
      Concrete & Aggregates          62,096        55,950      +11%
                                        12%           13%
      Other, net                      2,242         2,632      -15%
                                         1%            1%
        Total                      $502,622      $429,178      +17%
                                       100%          100%

    Operating Earnings (Loss)
      Cement:
        Wholly Owned               $ 26,539      $ 29,631      -10%
        Joint Venture                23,911        25,081       -5%
                                     50,450        54,712       -8%
                                        44%           54%
      Gypsum Wallboard               35,604        27,196      +31%
                                        31%           27%
      Paperboard                     20,942        17,614      +19%
                                        18%           17%
      Concrete & Aggregates           5,971          (268)  +2,328%
                                         5%            0%
      Other, net                      2,242         2,632      -15%
                                         2%            2%
        Total Operating Earnings    115,209       101,886      +13%
                                       100%          100%

      Corporate General Expenses     (9,272)**     (5,654)
      Interest Expense, net          (3,814)       (9,619)
        Earnings Before Income
         Taxes                     $102,123       $86,613      +18%


     *  Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.

     ** Includes spin-off expenses.


     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 4

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
  Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues
                                 (unaudited)

                                               Sales Volume
                                    Quarter Ended        Fiscal Year Ended
                                      March 31,               March 31,
                                  2004        2003         2004         2003

    Cement (M Tons):
      Wholly Owned                 246         213        1,340        1,260
      Joint Venture                258         250        1,178        1,101
                                   504         463        2,518        2,361

    Gypsum Wallboard (MMSF's)      632         548        2,437        1,933
    Paperboard (M Tons):
      External                      38          39          157          154
      Internal                      28          21          107           71
                                    66          60          264          225

    Concrete (M Cubic Yards)       151         159          762          681
    Aggregates (M Tons)            802         793        4,228        4,159


                                         Average Net Sales Price*
                                  Quarter Ended           Fiscal Year Ended
                                     March 31,                March 31,
                                 2004        2003         2004         2003

    Cement (Ton)                $64.79      $63.64       $66.02       $66.84
    Gypsum Wallboard (MSF)      $94.67      $79.00       $86.97       $87.12
    Paperboard (Ton)           $438.55     $419.60      $416.71      $408.44
    Concrete (Cubic Yard)       $53.62      $52.92       $52.79       $53.68
    Aggregates (Ton)             $5.26       $5.02        $5.24        $4.51


     *  Net of freight and delivery costs billed to customers.


                                      Intersegment and Cement Revenues
                                  Quarter Ended           Fiscal Year Ended
                                     March 31,                March 31,
                                 2004        2003         2004         2003
                                         (dollars in thousands)
    Intersegment Revenues:
      Cement                   $   638     $   391     $  3,290     $  3,505
      Paperboard                13,485       9,887       49,256       32,959
      Concrete and Aggregates      179         155        1,021          648
                               $14,302     $10,433     $ 53,567     $ 37,112
    Cement Revenues:
      Wholly Owned             $18,281     $16,271     $102,250     $ 97,867
      Joint Venture             16,484      15,493       76,306       71,826
                               $34,765     $31,764     $178,556     $169,693


     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 5

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (dollars in thousands)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                         March 31,
                                                     2004         2003*
    ASSETS

    Current Assets -
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                     $3,536       $6,795
      Accounts and Notes Receivable, net            54,352       42,209
      Inventories                                   48,890       49,138
        Total Current Assets                       106,778       98,142

    Property, Plant and Equipment                  715,735      708,998
      Less: Accumulated Depreciation              (234,930)    (207,810)
        Property, Plant and Equipment, net         480,805      501,188

    Investment in Joint Ventures                    51,503       53,741
    Notes Receivable, net                               75          190
    Goodwill                                        40,290       40,290
    Other Assets                                    13,524       12,804
                                                  $692,975     $706,355

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities -
      Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities     $69,991      $65,475
      Note Payable                                  24,100       25,257
      Current Portion of Long-term Debt                 80           80
        Total Current Liabilities                   94,171       90,812

    Long-term Debt                                  58,700       55,590
    Deferred Income Taxes                          101,082       80,342
    Stockholders' Equity -
      Common Stock, Par Value $0.01; Authorized
       50,000,000 Shares; Issued and Outstanding
       9,607,029 and 18,379,558 Shares,
       respectively, B Common Stock, Par Value
       $0.01; Authorized 50,000,000 Shares; Issued
       and Outstanding 9,161,469 and Zero
       Shares, respectively                            188          184
      Capital in Excess of Par Value                28,223       14,228
      Unamortized Value of Restricted Stock           (591)           0
      Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses        (1,877)      (2,282)
      Retained Earnings                            413,079      467,481
        Total Stockholders' Equity                 439,022      479,611
                                                  $692,975     $706,355

     *  From audited financial statements.


SOURCE Eagle Materials Inc.




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  • http://www.eaglematerials.com
    CONTACT:
    Steven R. Rowley, President and Chief
    Executive Officer, or Arthur R. Zunker, Jr., Senior Vice
    President and Chief Financial Officer, both of Eagle Materials
    Inc., +1-214-432-2000