Eagle Materials Inc. Declares Quarterly DividendDALLAS, Feb 2, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The Board of Directors of Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE: EXP and EXP.B), formerly known as Centex Construction Products, Inc., today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share payable on April 21, 2004 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2004.

As previously announced, this quarterly dividend represents a 500% increase from $0.05 per share to $0.30 per share and reflects the Board's confidence in Eagle Materials' financial strength and cash flow.

On January 30, 2004 Centex Corporation completed the previously announced spin-off of all of its shares of Eagle Materials.

Eagle Materials Inc. is a Dallas-based company that manufactures and distributes Cement, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Paperboard and Concrete and Aggregates.

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 Eagle Materials is discussing its beliefs, estimates or expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Eagle Materials Inc.

Arthur R. Zunker, Senior Vice President - Finance, Treasurer