Sigma Aldrich Corp (SIAL) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Sunday, December 31, 2006

David R. Harvey, Chairman

Jai P. Nagarkatti, President and CEO

For questions, contact:

Kirk A. Richter, Treasurer

(314) 286-8004

All per share and share data in this release reflect the 100% stock dividend declared in November 2006 and effective in January 2007.

Q4 2006 sales grew 13.2% to a record $464.5 million, boosting full year 2006 sales by 7.9% to $1.8 billion. Q4 and full year 2006 organic sales growth reached 8.9% and 6.4%, respectively. Quarterly and year-to-date comparisons and a reconciliation of reported to adjusted sales growth can be found on page 10 of this release.

Operating and pretax income margins for Q4 2006 of 21.4% and 20.1%, respectively, and full year 2006 operating and pretax margins of 22.4% and 21.1%, respectively, all represented improved performance from comparable period 2005 results.

Reported and proforma increases in Q4 2006 diluted EPS were 26.2% and 17.8%, respectively, with reported and pro forma diluted EPS increases for full year 2006 of 9.0% and 12.5%, respectively. Q4 2006 diluted EPS of $.53 included a lower level of international taxes and a $.02 tax benefit from the retroactive reinstatement of the R&D tax credit in the United States, reducing the Company’s Q4 2006 effective tax rate from previous guidance. Full year diluted EPS of $2.05 exceeded October 2006 guidance due to improved sales performance in Q4 and the Q4 2006 tax benefits. Quarterly and year-to-date comparisons and a reconciliation of proforma to reported diluted EPS can be found on page 11 of this release.

Management expects to meet the Company’s 7% long-term organic sales growth goal for 2007 and anticipates an additional contribution of approximately 2% from the recent acquisition of Epichem Group. If currency exchange rates remain at 12-31-06 levels, reported sales growth for 2007 could increase another 2%. Ongoing efforts to pursue other desirable acquisition candidates are expected to enhance this growth.

Based on those anticipated sales results and an effective tax rate of 30-31%, management estimates full year diluted EPS in the range of $2.15 to $2.25 for 2007, with the Epichem Group acquisition expected to be neutral to mildly accretive to 2007 earnings.