Providence, Rhode Island - February 25, 1998 - In a further demonstration of its commitment to build shareholder value, the Board of Directors of Textron Inc. today declared a quarterly dividend of twenty-eight and a half cents (28.5¢) per share on the company's Common Stock - a 14% increase from twenty-five cents (25¢) a share. This marks the seventh consecutive year of double-digit increases for Textron shareholders. "This increase reflects the company's strong earnings in 1997 and our expectation that 1998 will be another successful year for Textron," said Textron Chairman and CEO James F. Hardymon. The Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend of fifty-two cents (52¢) per share on the Corporation's $2.08 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, and thirty-five cents (35¢) per share on the $1.40 Convertible Preferred Dividend Stock, Series B. All dividends will be paid on April 1, 1998 to holders of record at the close of business on March 13, 1998. Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) is a $10.5 billion, global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance.