Page 1 of 51

Index to Schedules and
Exhibits are at Page 20 and 21

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

[_]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________________________ to __________________________

Commission File Number 1-2451

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin		39-0494170

(State or other jurisdiction of		(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification Number

3925 North Hastings Way
Eau Claire, Wisconsin		54703-3703

(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (715) 839-2121

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
$1.00 par value common stock		New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or any amendment to the Form 10-K X

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes X No

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $274,466,337.

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of March 4, 2005 was 6,822,841.

Page 2 of 51

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The business of National Presto Industries, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”) consists of three business segments. The Housewares/Small Appliance segment designs, markets and distributes housewares and small electrical appliances, including pressure cookers and canners, kitchen electrics, and comfort appliances. The Defense Products segment manufactures precision mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies and performs Load, Assemble and Pack (LAP) operations on ordnance related products for the U.S. government and prime contractors. The Absorbent Products segment manufactures and sells primarily private label diapers, adult incontinent products and puppy pads.

1. Housewares/Small Appliance Segment

Housewares and electrical appliances sold by the Company include pressure cookers and canners; the Presto Control Master® heat control single thermostatic control line of fry pans in several sizes, griddles and multi-purpose cookers; deep fryers of various sizes; pizza ovens, can openers, slicer/shredders; electric heaters; corn poppers (hot air and microwave); microwave bacon cookers; coffeemakers; electric grills; electric tea kettles; electric knives; electric knife sharpeners; and timers. Pressure cookers and canners are available in various sizes and are fabricated of aluminum and, in the case of cookers, of stainless steel, as well.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, approximately 45% of consolidated net sales were provided by cast products (fry pans, griddles, grills, deep fryers and multi-cookers), and approximately 21% by noncast/thermal appliances (stamped cookers and canners, stainless steel cookers, pizza ovens, corn poppers [hot air and microwave], coffeemakers, microwave bacon cookers, tea kettles, and heaters). For the year ended December 31, 2003, approximately 52% of consolidated net sales were provided by cast products, and approximately 29% by noncast/thermal appliances. For the year ended December 31, 2002, approximately 49% of consolidated net sales were provided by cast products, and approximately 31% by noncast/thermal appliances.

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, this segment had one customer which accounted for 10% or more of the company’s total consolidated net sales. That customer was Wal-Mart Stores which accounted for 30% in 2004, 33% in 2003, and 37% in 2002 of consolidated net sales.

Products are sold directly to retailers throughout the United States and also through independent distributors. Although the Company has long established relationships with many of its customers, it does not have long-term supply contracts with them. The loss of, or material reduction in, business from any of the Company’s major customers could adversely affect the Company’s business (see Footnote J in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company has a sales force of approximately nine employees that sell to and service most customers. A few selected accounts are handled by manufacturers’ representatives who may also sell other product lines. Sales promotional activities are conducted through the use of television, radio and newspaper advertising. The Company’s business is highly competitive and seasonal, with the normal peak sales period occurring in the fourth quarter of the year prior to the holiday season. Many companies compete for sales of housewares and small electrical appliances, some of which are larger than the Company and others which are smaller. Product competition extends to special product features, product pricing, marketing programs, warranty provisions, service policies and other factors. New product introductions are an important part of the Company’s sales to offset the morbidity rate of other products and/or the effect of lowered acceptance of seasonal products due to weather conditions. New products entail unusual risks. Engineering and tooling costs are increasingly expensive, as are finished goods that may not have a ready market or achieve widespread consumer acceptance. High-cost advertising commitments accompanying such new products or to maintain sales of existing products may not be fully absorbed by ultimate product sales. Initial production schedules, set in advance of

Page 3 of 51

introduction, carry the possibility of excess unsold inventories. New product introductions are further subject to delivery delays from supply sources, which can impact availability for the Company’s most active selling periods.

Research and development costs related to new product development for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 were absorbed in operations of these years and were not a material element in the aggregate costs incurred by the Company.

Products are generally warranted to the original owner to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one to twelve years from date of purchase. The Company allows a sixty-day over-the-counter initial return privilege through cooperating dealers. Products are serviced through independent service providers throughout the United States and a corporate service repair operation. The Company’s service and warranty programs are competitive with those offered by other manufacturers in the industry.

Prior to 2002, many of the Company’s products were manufactured in plants located in Jackson, Mississippi and Alamogordo, New Mexico. In 2004, the Company purchased almost all of its products from non-affiliated companies primarily located in the Orient. (See Footnote M to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company warehouses and distributes its products from a distribution center located in Canton, Mississippi. Selective use is made of leased tractors and trailers.

The Company invests funds not currently required for business activities (see Footnote A (4) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Income from invested funds is included in Other Income in the accompanying financial statements.

Earnings from investments may vary significantly from year to year depending on interest yields on instruments meeting the Company’s investment criteria, and the extent to which funds may be needed for internal growth, acquisitions, newly identified business activities, and reacquisition of Company stock.

2. Defense Products Segment

AMTEC Corporation was acquired on February 24, 2001, and manufactures precision mechanical and electro-mechanical products for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and DOD prime contractors. AMTEC’s 70,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, located in Janesville, Wisconsin, is focused on producing niche market ordnance products (such as training ammunition, fuzes, firing devices, and initiators). Spectra Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of AMTEC, was acquired on July 31, 2003, and manufactures explosives and propellant ordnance-related products for the DOD and other DOD prime contractors. Spectra’s 52,000 square-foot facility, located in East Camden, Arkansas, performs primarily Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) type work.

The defense products segment competes for its business primarily on the basis of price, technical competence, product quality, and manufacturing experience. This segment operates in a highly competitive environment with many other organizations, some of which are larger and others that are smaller.

During 2004 almost all of the work performed by this segment directly or indirectly for the DOD was performed on a fixed-price basis. Under fixed-price contracts, the price paid to the contractor is awarded based on competition at the outset of the contract and therefore is generally not subject to any adjustments reflecting the actual costs incurred by the contractor. The defense segment’s contracts and subcontracts contain the customary provision permitting termination at any time for the convenience of the government, with payment for any work completed, associated profit, and inventory/work in process at the time of termination.

3. Absorbent Products Segment

The first absorbent products segment business (Presto Absorbent Products, Inc.) was acquired on November 21, 2001. At that time, Presto Absorbent Products manufactured primarily private label diapers. On October 6, 2003, the Company purchased the assets of NCN Hygienic Products, Inc., a Marietta, Georgia company which manufactures adult incontinence products and training pads for pets,

Page 4 of 51

which are likewise primarily private label products. The business is capital intensive and substantial investment in new equipment is ongoing to enable expansion. New equipment is extremely complex and considerable time, typically in excess of a year, is consumed to secure, install and reach the point at which it operates efficiently. Once the equipment is operating efficiently, it should provide substantial additional capacity, which in turn must be utilized if the operation is to be profitable.

Unlike the housewares/small appliance business, the absorbent product business is not seasonal. To the extent there are variations from month to month, that is primarily a function of customer promotional timing. As private label products tend to emulate branded product as much as possible, new product development is important, but is largely limited to providing features similar to those found in national branded product. Research and development costs are absorbed in operations.

The absorbent product business is very competitive. There are several competitors, most of which are larger than the company. Product competition is largely based on product pricing, quality, and features.

Product cost is heavily influenced by commodity costs which include wood pulp, as well as many petroleum based products, and by equipment operating speed, efficiency, and utilization

Advertising is typically the responsibility of the owner of the private label and is thus minimal. Most sales are currently handled through broker/distributor arrangements. Production for the most part is done to order.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, this segment had one customer, Medline Industries Holdings LP, which accounted for 11% of consolidated net sales.

OTHER COMMENTS

1. Sources and Availability of Materials

See Footnote J in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions Held

Patents, particularly on new products, trademarks and know-how are considered significant. The Company’s current and future success depends upon judicial protection of its intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks and trade dress). Removal of that protection would expose the Company to competitors who seek to take advantage of the Company’s innovations and proprietary rights. To date, the Company has vigorously protected its rights and enjoyed success in all its intellectual property suits.

3. Effects of Compliance with Environmental and OSHA Regulations

In May 1986, the Company’s Eau Claire, Wisconsin, site was placed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priorities List (NPL) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) because of alleged hazardous waste deposited on the property. At year end 1998, all remediation projects at the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, site had been installed, were fully operational, and restoration activities had been completed.

Based on factors known as of December 31, 2004, it is believed that the Company’s existing environmental accrued liability reserve will be adequate to satisfy on-going remediation operations and monitoring activities; however, should environmental agencies require additional studies or remediation projects, it is possible the existing accrual could be inadequate.

Management believes that in the absence of any unforeseen future developments, known environmental matters will not have any material effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

4. Number of Employees of the Company

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 551 employees compared to 347 employees at the end of December 2003.

Page 5 of 51

5. Industry Practices Related to Working Capital Requirements

The major portion of the Company’s sales were made with terms of 90 days or shorter.

For the small appliance/housewares segment, inventory levels increase in advance of the selling period for products that are seasonal, such as pressure canners, heaters, and major new product introductions. Inventory build-up also occurs to create stock levels required to support the higher sales that occur in the latter half of each year. Buying practices of the Company’s customers require “just-in-time” delivery, necessitating that the Company carry large finished goods inventories.

The multiple stock keeping units inherent in the private label absorbent product business, combined with the desire to minimize machine changeover to maximize efficiency, necessitates the carrying of a large finished goods inventory in the absorbent product segment as well.

6. Order Backlog

Shipment of most of the Company’s small appliance/housewares and absorbent products occurs within a relatively short time after receipt of the order and, therefore, there is usually no substantial order backlog. New product introductions may result in order backlogs that vary from product to product and as to timing of introduction.

Contract backlog of the defense segment was approximately $43,000,000 at December 31, 2004, and $30,000,000 at December 31, 2003. Backlog is defined as the value of funded orders from the customer less the amount of sales recognized against the funded order. It is anticipated that the backlog will be performed during a 14 to 18-month period.

PLANT CLOSINGS

See Footnote M in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACQUISITIONS

See Footnote L in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company has a web site at www.gopresto.com. The contents of the Company’s web site are not part of, nor are they incorporated by reference into this annual report.

The Company does not make available on its web site its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, or amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act because those reports are already readily available to the public on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov. The Company does provide paper copies of its annual report free of charge upon request.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES (Owned Except Where Indicated)

The Company’s Eau Claire facility is approximately 470,000 square feet. Presto Absorbent Products, Inc. utilizes approximately 300,000 square feet of this area. Leases for 38,000 square feet of this area have been entered into with outside tenants. The Company’s corporate office occupies the balance of the space in Eau Claire.

The Company also has manufacturing facilities in Janesville, Wisconsin; East Camden, Arkansas; and Marietta, Georgia; and two warehousing facilities which are located in Jackson and Canton, Mississippi. Manufacturing ceased at the Jackson plant during the fourth quarter of 2002 since the Company is outsourcing all of its housewares/small appliances. (See Note M in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Janesville facility is comprised of approximately 70,000 square feet. The Camden facility is approximately 52,000 square feet of leased space. The Marietta, Georgia facility contains 104,000 square feet of leased space.

Page 6 of 51

The Jackson facility contains 283,000 square feet. Modifications to adapt this facility for warehousing and shipping were completed during 2004. The Company leases a 191,900 square foot building in Canton, Mississippi which is used primarily for warehousing and distribution and some activities for product service functions. An additional 72,200 square feet has been leased in adjacent buildings for warehousing.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Footnote I in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Item 1.B.3. For information regarding certain environmental matters.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company held its Annual Meeting on October 19, 2004 at which the only item submitted for a vote was the election of Directors, and all nominees were elected.

The 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2005 Annual Meeting”) will be held on October 18, 2005. The proxy statement for this meeting is expected to be mailed on or about September 2, 2005. Any proposal intended to be presented for action at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company by any stockholder of the Company must be received by the Secretary of the Company at 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703, no later than May 5, 2005, in order for such proposal to be included in the Company’s proxy statement and proxy relating to the 2005 Annual Meeting. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require the Company to include in its proxy statement and proxy relating to the 2005 Annual Meeting any stockholder proposal which does not meet all of the requirements for such inclusion at the time in effect.

Pursuant to Rules 14a-4 and 14a-5(e) of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended, which govern the use by the Company of its discretionary voting authority with respect to certain shareholder proposals, should the Company receive notice after July 19, 2005, of any such stockholder proposal which will be circulated independent of the Company’s proxy statement, the persons named in proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company for its 2005 Annual Meeting may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to any such proposal.

Page 7 of 51

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Record of Dividends Paid and Market Price of Common Stock

	2004									2003

	Applicable Dividends Paid per Share			Market Price						Applicable Dividends Paid per Share			Market Price

				High			Low						High			Low

First Quarter		$	1.17		$	40.30		$	35.89		$	0.92		$	29.83		$	25.88
Second Quarter		—			42.22			37.62			—			32.63			26.02
Third Quarter		—			42.19			38.30			—			37.35			31.53
Fourth Quarter		—			46.70			39.15			—			37.00			34.18

Full Year	$	1.17		$	46.70		$	35.89		$	0.92		$	37.35		$	25.88

Common stock of National Presto Industries, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NPK”. As of March 4, 2005, there were 522 holders of record of the Company's common stock. This number does not reflect shareholders who hold their shares in the name of broker dealers or other nominees. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company did not purchase any of its equity securities. See Item 12 for information regarding equity compensation plans.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

	(in thousands except per share data)
For the years ended December 31,	2004			2003			2002			2001			2000


Net sales	$	158,956		$	125,744		$	124,784		$	112,187		$	112,176

Net earnings		15,441	*		15,477	*		8,690	*		6,286	*		15,158

Net earnings per share		2.26	*		2.27	*		1.27	*		.92	*		2.16

Total assets		305,828			301,393			289,994			284,076			288,530

Dividends paid per common share
applicable to current year		1.17			0.92			0.92			2.00			2.10

For 2004 the net effect of the reversal of the LIFO reserve resulted in a net comparative earnings decline of $2,695,000 or $.40 per share which was in part offset by the absence of the $1,137,000 ($.17 per share) plant closing charge taken in 2003. The impact of the pension termination resulted in a net comparative earnings decline of $1,371,000 or $.20 per share. 2003 net earnings reflect after tax charges of $1,137,000 ($.17 per share) related to plant closing expenses and $817,000 ($.12 per share) related to converting a defined benefit pension plan into a defined contribution plan, which were more than offset by the partial reversal of the LIFO reserve stemming from the shut down of domestic plants, net of tax, $3,122,000 ($.46 per share). 2002 includes $2,843,000 — $.42 per share versus 2001‘s $4,771,000 — $.70 per share for after-tax expenses relating to plant closings. 2002 earnings also reflect $1,040,000 or $.15 per share after-tax charge primarily related to the early retirement of long term employees. The 2002 expenses were largely offset ($3,259,000 or $.48 per share after-tax) by the partial reversal of the LIFO reserve stemming from the shutdown of the domestic manufacturing plants.

Page 8 of 51

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-looking statements in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, elsewhere in this Form 10-K, in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders, in the Proxy Statement for the annual meeting held October 19, 2004, and in the Company’s press releases and oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made herein. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. In addition to the factors discussed herein and in the notes to consolidated financial statements, among the other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: consumer spending and debt levels; interest rates; continuity of relationships with and purchases by major customers; product mix; the benefit and risk of business acquisitions; competitive pressure on sales and pricing; increases in material, freight/shipping, or production cost which cannot be recouped in product pricing; delays or interruptions in shipping, and the efficient start-up and utilization of capital equipment investments. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, copies of which are available from the Company without charge.

2004 COMPARED TO 2003

Readers are directed to Note N, “Business Segments” for data on the financial results of the Company’s three business segments for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

On a consolidated basis, sales were up by $33,212,000 (26%), gross margins by $2,605,000 (7%), and selling and general expense by $2,333,000 (13%). Other income, principally interest decreased by $649,000 (15%), as did earnings before provision for income taxes by $377,000 (2%), and net earnings by $36,000. Details concerning these changes can be found in the comments by segment found below.

Housewares/small appliance net sales increased $1,914,000 from $104,246,000 to $106,160,000, or 2%, primarily resulting from an increase in unit volume offset in large part by decreased pricing, which reflected the competitive nature of the housewares/small appliance business. Defense net sales increased by $14,539,000 from $9,996,000 to $24,535,000, or 145%, primarily reflecting a unit volume increase resulting from the satisfaction of a significant portion of the 2003 backlog. Absorbent products net sales increased by $16,759,000 from $11,502,000 to $28,261,000, or 146%, primarily reflecting the addition of revenues stemming from the October 2003 acquisition of the assets of NCN Hygienic Products, Inc. which were in turn augmented by a competitor’s sudden decision to exit the adult incontinent business.

Housewares/small appliance gross profit for 2004 decreased $2,970,000 from $33,619,000 to $30,649,000, or 32% in 2003 versus 29% in 2004 as a percentage of sales. The gross margin decrease was primarily attributable to a comparatively smaller benefit received in 2004 from the partial reversal of Manufactured Product LIFO reserve (as discussed in Notes B & M), offset in part by two elements which were approximately equal – the margin increase stemming from the increased sales volume and a reduction in the warranty reserve (see Note A(13)). Defense gross profit increased $4,741,000 from $3,126,000 to $7,867,000, primarily due to increased volume referenced above. Gross margin was largely unchanged – 32% in 2004 versus 31% in 2003. Absorbent products gross profit increased $834,000 from $716,000 to $1,550,000, reflecting the increased volume stated above. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased from 6.2% to 5.5%, largely as a result of the effort to fill orders created by the above mentioned competitor’s exit from the business without having the requisite machine capacity in place to efficiently handle the added volume. As mentioned in the Liquidity section below, efforts were in process to expand that capacity.

Page 9 of 51

Housewares/small appliance selling and general expenses were relatively unchanged. Defense selling and general expenses increased $1,626,000 reflecting increased compensation and staffing commensurate with the defense segment’s increased sales and earnings levels, and a full year versus five months of activity at Spectra. Absorbent product selling and general expenses increased $304,000 primarily reflecting the October 2003 acquisition of assets noted above.

Fiscal year 2003 included plant closing charges of $1,834,000 relating to the closing of the Company’s housewares/small appliance manufacturing operations in Jackson, Mississippi, and Alamogordo, New Mexico (See Note M). Also, in the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced its decision to terminate its defined benefit pension plan (See Note G). As a result, the Company recorded a charge of $3,528,000 and $1,317,000 for fiscal years 2004 and 2003, respectively. Note G also includes information regarding assumptions used to value the pension plan.

The above items were responsible for the change in operating profit.

Other income, principally interest, decreased $649,000 from $4,234,000 to $3,585,000, primarily due to a decreased average daily investment balance, stemming from the use of funds for expansion in the defense and absorbent products segments.

Earnings before provision for income taxes decreased $377,000 from $23,083,000 to $22,706,000. The provision for income taxes decreased from $7,606,000 to $7,265,000, which resulted in an effective income tax rate decrease from 33% to 32% as a result of decreased earnings subject to tax. Net earnings decreased $36,000 from $15,477,000 to $15,441,000.

2003 COMPARED TO 2002

Readers are directed to Note N, “Business Segments” for data on the financial results of the Company’s three business segments for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

Housewares/small appliance net sales decreased $2,841,000 from $107,087,000 to $104,246,000, or 3%. The decrease reflects a combination of reduced prices and reduced unit volume of housewares/small appliances. Defense net sales increased by $706,000 from $9,290,000 to $9,996,000, or 8%. The increase reflects a change in the mix of products shipped – fewer units with higher per unit pricing. Absorbent products net sales increased by $3,095,000 from $8,407,000 to $11,502,000, or 37%, primarily reflecting the addition of approximately three months of revenues stemming from the October acquisition of the assets of NCN Hygienic Products, Inc.

Housewares/small appliance gross profit for 2003 increased $8,720,000 from $24,899,000 to $33,619,000, or 23% versus 32% as a percentage of net sales. The gross profit percentage increase is largely due to the cost reductions stemming from the sourcing of products overseas. The gross profit for both 2003 and 2002 was also favorably impacted by a partial reversal of the LIFO inventory reserve (as discussed in Notes B and M) in the amount of $5,035,000 and $5,256,000 for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Defense gross profit increased for 2003 from $2,966,000 to $3,126,000, or 32% versus 31% as a percentage of sales, primarily due to volume. Absorbent products gross profit for 2003 increased $285,000 from $431,000 to $716,000, primarily because of the addition of the acquisition noted in the previous paragraph.

Housewares/small appliance selling and general expenses decreased $2,364,000, partially due to decreased television advertising expenses and the absence of an early retirement charge recorded in 2002. (See Note G.) Defense selling and general expenses increased $490,000 largely attributable to moving expenses associated with AMTEC’s new facility and expenses related to the purchase of Spectra Technologies LLC. (See Note L.)

Page 10 of 51

Fiscal years 2003 and 2002 included plant closing charges of $1,834,000 and $4,020,000, respectively, relating to closing the Company’s housewares/small appliance manufacturing operations in Jackson, Mississippi, and Alamogordo, New Mexico. (See Note M.) Also, in the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced its decision to terminate its defined benefit pension plan. (See Note G.) As a result, the Company recorded a charge of $1,317,000 for fiscal 2003. An additional charge estimated at $3,500,000 will be recorded in the third quarter of 2004 when the defined benefit pension plan termination is completed. Note G also includes information regarding the assumptions used to value the pension plan. The Company anticipates making an expected cash contribution of $1,500,000 to the pension plan in 2004 prior to the settlement of the plan.

Other income, principally interest, decreased $885,000 from $5,119,000 to $4,234,000, primarily due to decreased yields on financial instruments partially offset by an increased average daily investment balance.

Earnings before provision for income taxes increased $11,569,000 from $11,514,000 to $23,083,000. The provision for income taxes increased from $2,824,000 to $7,606,000, which resulted in an effective income tax rate increase from 25% to 33% as a result of increased earnings subject to tax. Net earnings increased $6,787,000 from $8,690,000 to $15,477,000, or 78%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by operating activities was $4,806,000 during 2004 compared to $24,797,000 during the comparable period in the prior year. The principal factors behind the decrease can be found in the changes in the components of working capital and the pension charge element within the statement of cash flows.

Cash used in investing activities was $35,870,000 during 2004 compared to cash provided of $11,040,000 during 2003. Of note for 2004, was additional cash used for the purchase of marketable securities, and the purchase of machinery and equipment primarily for the expansion in the absorbent products and defense segments.

Cash flows from financing activities for 2004 and 2003 primarily differed as a result of the $.25 per share extra dividend paid in 2004.

As a result of the foregoing factors, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $39,041,000 to $104,724,000.

Working capital decreased by $11,360,000 to $208,772,000 at December 31, 2004, reflecting the increased support of the activities in the defense and absorbent products segments noted above. The Company’s current ratio was 5.3 to 1.0 at fiscal 2004 year-end, compared to 5.0 to 1.0 at the end of fiscal 2003.

As of December 31, 2004, there were approximately $9,800,000 open equipment purchase commitments to expand the product line in its absorbent products segment. The Company expects to continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities that align with its business segments and will make further acquisitions, as well as continue to make capital investments in these segments if the appropriate return on investment is projected.

The Company has substantial liquidity in the form of cash and short-term maturity marketable securities to meet all of its anticipated capital requirements, to make dividend payments, and to fund future growth through acquisitions and other means. The Company intends to continue its investment strategy of safety and short-term liquidity throughout its investment holdings. The interest rate declines over the past several years coupled with the reduction in the Company’s investment holdings currently has resulted in reduced levels of interest income for the Company. There can be no assurance when interest rates will begin to move towards more historically normal levels. The interest rate environment is a function of national and international monetary policies as well as the growth and inflation rates of the U.S. and foreign economies, and is not controllable by the Company.

Page 11 of 51

DEFENSE SEGMENT BACKLOG

The Company’s defense segment contract backlog was approximately $43,000,000 at December 31, 2004, and $30,000,000 at December 31, 2003. Backlog is defined as the value of funded orders from the customer less the amount of sales recognized against the funded order. It is anticipated that the backlog will be performed during a 14 to 18-month period.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The below table discloses a summary of the Company’s specified contractual obligations at December 31, 2004:

Payments Due By Period

Contractual Obligations	Total		Under 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More Than 5 Years

Lease Obligations	$	2,559,000	$	701,000	$	607,000	$	275,000	$	976,000
Purchase obligations⁽¹⁾		32,100,000		32,100,000		—		—		—
Earn-out payments⁽²⁾		3,810,000		1,250,000		—		2,560,000		—

Total	$	38,469,000	$	34,051,000	$	607,000	$	2,835,000	$	976,000

⁽¹⁾

Purchase obligations includes outstanding purchase orders at December 31, 2004. Included are purchase orders issued to the Company’s housewares manufacturers in the Orient, to equipment manufacturers of absorbent products machinery, and to material suppliers in the defense and absorbent products segment. The Company can cancel or change many of these purchase orders, but may incur costs if its supplier cannot use the material to manufacture the Company’s products in other applications or return the material to their supplier. As a result, the actual amount the Company is obligated to pay cannot be estimated.

⁽²⁾

The Company has agreed to make certain earn-out payments dependent upon the future earnings performance of companies acquired. The expected payments noted above were based upon the anticipated future levels of earnings of the acquired companies.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Company reviewed the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and believes the following are the most critical accounting policies that could have an effect on the Company’s reported results. These critical accounting policies and estimates have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Inventories

New housewares/small appliance product introductions are an important part of the Company’s sales to offset the morbidity rate of other housewares/small appliance products and/or the effect of lowered acceptance of seasonal products due to weather conditions. New products entail unusual risks and have occasionally in the past resulted in losses related to obsolete inventory as a result of low or diminishing demand for a product. The Company did not have any major new product introduction or morbidity issues in the current year and, accordingly, did not record a reserve for obsolete product. In the future should product demand issues arise, the Company may incur losses related to the obsolescence of the related inventory.

Insurance

The Company is subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business and is self-insured for health care costs. The Company insures for product liability claims, and retains a self-insured retention insurance accrual in the Company’s financial statements. The Company utilizes historical trends and other analysis to assist in determining the appropriate accrual. An increase in the number or magnitude of claims could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition.

Page 12 of 51

Environmental

In May 1986, the Company’s Eau Claire, Wisconsin site was placed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 because of hazardous waste deposited on the property. By December 31, 1998, all remediation projects had been installed, were fully operational, and restoration activities had been completed and accrued liabilities established for the expected cost of the activity. The Company believes its accrued liability reserve will be adequate to satisfy ongoing remediation operations and monitoring activities; however, should environmental agencies require additional studies or remediation projects, it is possible the existing accrual could be inadequate. The Company’s current environmental liability is based upon estimates of the future costs to maintain and operate remediation projects and monitor their results based upon historical costs incurred for such activities.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Please refer to Note A (14) for information related to the future effect of adopting new accounting pronouncements on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s interest income on cash equivalents and marketable securities is affected by changes in interest rates in the United States. Cash equivalents include money market funds and 7-day variable rate demand notes which are highly liquid instruments with interest rates set every 7 days that can be tendered to the remarketer upon 7 days notice for payment of principal and accrued interest amounts. The 7 day tender feature of these variable rate demand notes are further supported by an irrevocable letter of credit from highly rated U.S. banks. To the extent a bond is not remarketed at par plus accrued interest, the difference is drawn from the bank’s letter of credit. The Company’s investments are held primarily in fixed and variable rate municipal bonds with an average life of less than one year. Accordingly, changes in interest rates have not had a material effect on the Company, and the Company does not anticipate that future exposure to interest rate market risk will be material. The Company uses sensitivity analysis to determine its exposure to changes in interest rates.

The Company has no history of, and does not anticipate in the future, investing in derivative financial instruments. Most transactions with international customers are entered into in U.S. dollars, precluding the need for foreign currency cash flow hedges. The Company’s manufacturing contracts with its foreign suppliers contain provisions to share the impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Hong Kong dollar above and below a fixed range contained in the contracts. All transactions with the foreign suppliers were within the exchange rate range specified in the contracts during 2004, 2003 and 2002.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements of National Presto Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the related Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants are contained on pages F-1 through F-19 of this report.

Quarterly financial data is contained in Note P in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None

Page 13 of 51

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) as of December 31, 2004. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in accordance with the SEC’s rules and forms.

There have been no significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of National Presto Industries, Inc. (NPI) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. NPI’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

NPI management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2004, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

NPI’s independent auditors have issued an audit report on our assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears below.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Stockholders and Board of Directors
National Presto Industries, Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying management report included in Item 9 of this Form 10-K, that National Presto Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (a Wisconsin Corporation) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on control criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). National Presto Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the statements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Page 14 of 51

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that National Presto Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the control criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also in our opinion, National Presto Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on control criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of National Presto Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and our report dated March 10, 2004 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 10, 2005

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None

Page 15 of 51

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS
The following table provides information as to the directors of the Company.

Director		Principal Occupation; Business Experience Past 5 Years	Director Since	Director’s Term To Expire

James F. Bartl	64	Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company	1995	2005

Michael J. O’Meara	54	Chairman of the Board and Director, People’s National	1996	2005
		Bank, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Melvin S. Cohen	87	Chairman Emeritus of the Board of the Company; Prior to	1949	2006
		January 1, 2002, Chairman

Maryjo Cohen	52	Chairperson of the Board, President and Chief Executive	1988	2006
		Officer of the Company⁽¹⁾

Richard N. Cardozo	69	Adjunct Professor, University of Miami; Professor	1998	2007
		Emeritus, Carlson School of Management, University of
		Minnesota

Patrick J. Quinn	55	Chairman and President, Ayres Associates; prior to April	2001	2007
		28, 2000, Executive Vice President

⁽¹⁾

Ms. Cohen is the daughter of Mr. Cohen.

The Company has Audit, Compensation, and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees consisting of Messrs. O’Meara, Cardozo, and Quinn. The Company has not appointed an Audit Committee financial expert since none of its current directors qualify as such, but plans to seek a qualified director in the near future..

Directors of the Company, other than those that are executive officers of the Company, receive annual compensation of $25,000. This amount includes $1,000 for each Board meeting and $500 for each committee meeting attended. Executive officers are not compensated for services as Board members.

Page 16 of 51

IDENTIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following information is provided with regard to the executive officers of the registrant: (All terms of office are for one year or until their respective successors are duly elected.)

NAME	TITLE

Maryjo Cohen	Chairperson of the Board,	52
	President and Chief Executive
	Officer

James F. Bartl	Executive Vice President	64
	and Secretary

Neil L. Brown	Vice President, Manufacturing	61
	and Purchasing

Donald E. Hoeschen	Vice President, Sales	57

Larry Tienor	Vice President, Engineering	56

Randy Lieble	Vice President, Treasurer and	51
	Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Cohen became Chairperson of the Board on January 1, 2002. Prior to that date she had been elected Treasurer in September 1983, to the additional positions of Vice President in May 1986, President in May 1989 and Chief Executive Officer in May 1994. She has been associated with the registrant since 1976. Prior to becoming an officer, she was Associate Resident Counsel and Assistant to the Treasurer.

Mr. Bartl was elected Secretary in May 1978 and the additional position of Executive Vice President in November 1998. He has been associated with the registrant since 1969. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Resident Counsel and Director of Industrial Relations, the latter position he continues to hold.

Mr. Brown was elected Vice President in November 1997. He has been associated with the registrant since 1966. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Director of Manufacturing.

Mr. Hoeschen was elected Vice President in May 1997. He has been associated with the registrant since 1971. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Director of Sales.

Mr. Tienor was elected Vice President in November 2003. He has been associated with the registrant since 1971. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Director of Engineering.

Mr. Lieble was elected Vice President in October 2004. Prior to that date he had been elected Treasurer in November 1995 and the additional position of Chief Financial Officer in November 1999. He has been associated with the registrant since 1977. Prior to becoming an officer, he was Manager of Investments and Government Contracts.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is posted on its web site at www.gopresto.com.

Page 17 of 51

SECTION 16 (A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Based upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments thereto pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Company believes all such forms were filed on a timely basis by reporting persons during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION

The following table provides certain summary information concerning annual compensation paid by the Company to the Company’s chief executive officer and each of the four highest paid executive officers whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION/PENSION ACCRUED BENEFIT TABLE

Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary		Bonus		401 (K) Plan⁽¹⁾

Maryjo Cohen	2004	$	64,000	$	235,000	$	14,350
Chairperson of the Board, President,	2003		64,000		225,000		4,000
Chief Executive Officer and Director	2002		64,000		216,000		4,000

James F. Bartl	2004	$	44,600	$	222,400	$	14,350
Executive Vice President, Secretary,	2003		44,600		213,400		4,000
and Director	2002		44,600		204,400		4,000

Donald E. Hoeschen	2004	$	41,370	$	153,500	$	14,350
Vice President-Sales	2003		41,370		147,500		3,657
	2002		41,370		141,500		3,557

Randy F. Lieble	2004	$	40,000	$	145,000	$	14,350
Vice President, Treasurer	2003		40,000		120,000		2,900
and Chief Financial Officer	2002		40,000		105,000		2,750

Lawrence J. Tienor	2004	$	37,790	$	108,710	$	13,010
Vice President-Engineering	2003		37,790		98,710		2,629
	2002		37,790		92,210		2,392

⁽¹⁾	The amounts shown in this column are matching contributions made by the Company. Beginning As of January 1, 2004, the Company increased its annual contribution to the defined contribution plan due to the termination of the defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2003.

Page 18 of 51

AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISE IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

	Shares Acquired On Exercise (#)	Value Realized ($)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options At Fiscal Year-End (#)		Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options At Fiscal Year-End ($)
Name	Shares Acquired On Exercise (#)			Exercisable/Unexercisable		Exercisable/Unexercisable
Donald E. Hoeschen	-0-	Value Realized ($)	-0-			250 / 500	2,246 / 4,493

Randy F. Lieble	-0-	-0-			250 / 0	1,028 / 0

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Members of the Board of Directors in cooperation with the Compensation Committee determine the compensation of the executive officers of the Company. This includes the compensation of those executive officers who also serve as directors, namely, Maryjo Cohen, Chairperson of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, and James F. Bartl, Executive Vice President and Secretary. Ms. Cohen and Mr. Bartl do not participate in any decisions regarding their own compensation.

Executive officers of the Company, including Ms. Cohen and Mr. Bartl, also serve as directors and executive officers of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Page 19 of 51

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

The following table sets forth information provided to the Company as to beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock, as of February 28, 2005 by (i) the only shareholders known to the Company to hold 5% or more of such stock, (ii) each of the directors and executives of the Company named in the Summary Compensation/Pension Accrued Benefit Table, and (iii) all directors and officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares represent sole voting and investment power.

Beneficial Owner

Maryjo Cohen	1,958,788	⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	28.7	%
3925 N. Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54703

Melvin S. Cohen	398,314	⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	5.8	%
3925 N. Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54703

Barclays Global Investors	342,032	⁽⁴⁾	5.0	%
45 Freemont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.	384,708	⁽⁴⁾	5.6	%
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.	360,167	⁽⁵⁾	5.3	%
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580

Royce & Associates, LLC	730,700	⁽⁴⁾	10.7	%
1414 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

James F. Bartl	16,379		—	⁽⁶⁾
Donald E. Hoeschen	1,128		—	⁽⁶⁾
Randy F. Lieble	1,401		—	⁽⁶⁾
Lawrence J. Tienor	713		—	⁽⁶⁾
Michael J. O'Meara	100		—	⁽⁶⁾
Richard N. Cardozo	—		—
Patrick J. Quinn	200		—	⁽⁶⁾
All officers and directors as a group	2,090,078	⁽⁷⁾	30.6	%
(10 persons)

⁽¹⁾

(Includes 108,875 shares owned by the L. E. Phillips Family Foundation, Inc. (the “Phillips Foundation”), a private charitable foundation of which the named person is an officer and/or director and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers.

⁽²⁾

Includes 1,669,664 shares held in a voting trust described in the section below captioned “Voting Trust Agreement,” for which Ms. Cohen has sole voting power, and 179,054 shares owned by private charitable foundations (other than the Phillips Foundation) and family member trusts of which Ms. Cohen is a co-trustee, officer or director, and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers.

⁽³⁾

Includes 298,439 shares owned by charitable trusts and private charitable foundations (other than the Phillips Foundation) of which Mr. Cohen is a co-trustee, officer or director, and as such exercises shared voting and investment powers. Does not include shares held in a voting trust described in the section below captioned “Voting Trust Agreement,” for which Mr. Cohen holds voting trust certificates. Pursuant to the voting trust, Mr. Cohen does not have the power to vote or dispose of such shares.

⁽⁴⁾

Based on February 2005 Schedule 13-G filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

⁽⁵⁾

Based on February 2005 Schedule 13-D filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

⁽⁶⁾

Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.

⁽⁷⁾

Includes options for 750 shares currently exercisable by three officers under the National Presto Industries, Inc. 1988 Stock Option Plan.

Page 20 of 51

The information contained in the foregoing footnotes is for explanatory purposes only, and the persons named in the foregoing table disclaim beneficial ownership of shares owned or held in trust for any other person, including family members, trusts, or other entities with which they may be associated. Stock ownership information contained in this Form 10-K was obtained from the Company’s shareholder records, filings with governmental authorities, or from the named directors and officers.

VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT

Maryjo Cohen and Melvin Cohen, and eight other persons comprising extended family members and related trusts, have entered into a voting trust agreement with respect to the voting of an aggregate of 1,669,664 shares of common stock of the Company. The voting trust agreement will terminate on December 4, 2009, unless sooner terminated by the voting trustee or unanimous written consent of all the parties to the voting trust agreement, or unless extended by unanimous written consent by all parties to the agreement. The voting trustee under the agreement is Maryjo Cohen. Under the agreement, the voting trustee exercises all rights to vote the shares subject to the voting trust.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004.

	(a)	(b)	(c)

Plan category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights	Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights	Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))


Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders	2,000	$	39.11	—

Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders	—		—	—


Total	2,000	$	39.11	—

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Melvin S. Cohen, Chairman Emeritus of the Company, was paid $30,000 for consultation services in 2004. During the year, Mr. Cohen was consulted on a variety of matters based upon his executive experience and knowledge of the Company’s operations.

Page 21 of 51

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Grant Thornton LLP, Certified Public Accountants, was the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004. They have been selected by the Audit Committee to be the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. The Audit Committee meets with representatives of Grant Thornton LLP to review their comments and plans for future audits.

The following fees have been incurred by the Company:

	Audit Fees ⁽¹⁾		Audit⁽²⁾ Related Fees		Tax Fees⁽³⁾		All Other Fees ⁽⁴⁾

Year ended December 31, 2003	$	77,000	$	25,000	$	11,000	$	—

Year ended December 31, 2004		267,000		11,000		13,000	$	—

⁽¹⁾

Includes audit fee for financial statement audits, 10Q reviews, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 controls work and related expenses.

⁽²⁾

Audit related fees include fees for consultation related to new accounting standards, questions related to SEC filings and other accounting research.

⁽³⁾

Tax fees consist of review of Federal and State income tax returns, and advice related to various tax matters.

⁽⁴⁾

There were no other fees.

Grant Thornton LLP did not provide any financial information, design or implementation services for the Company during fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004.

In accordance with the Audit Committee charter, the Committee must review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve the independent auditors’ annual engagement letter and all audit, audit-related, tax and other permissible services proposed to be provided by the independent auditor in accordance with the applicable NYSE listing standards and SEC rules, and the fees for such services.

Page 22 of 51

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)

Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K:

Form 10-K

Page Reference

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2004 and 2003

F-1 & F-2

Consolidated Statements of Earnings —
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows —
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity —
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-6 thru F-18

Report of Independent Registered Certified
Public Accounting Firm

F-19

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

F-20

(b)

Exhibits:

Exhibit Number

Description

Exhibit 3 (i)

—

Restated Articles of Incorporation — incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3 (i) of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 6, 1997

(ii)

—

By-Laws — incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3 (ii) of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 3, 1999

Exhibit 9

—

Voting Trust Agreement — incorporated by reference from Exhibit 9 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 6, 1997

Exhibit 10.1

—

1988 Stock Option Plan — incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended July 6, 1997

Exhibit 10.2

—

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1988 Stock Option Plan — Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended July 6, 1997

Exhibit 11

—

Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings

Exhibit 21

—

Parent and Subsidiaries

Page 23 of 51

Exhibit 23.1

—

Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

Exhibit 31.1

—

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2

—

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1

—

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.2

—

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(c)

Schedules:

Reference is made to Item 15(a)(2).

Page 24 of 51

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the Requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.

(registrant)

	By: /S/ Randy F. Lieble
	Randy F. Lieble Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

By: /S/ Richard N. Cardozo	By: /S/ Melvin S. Cohen
Richard N. Cardozo	Melvin S. Cohen
Director	Director

By: /S/ Patrick J. Quinn	By: /S/ James F. Bartl
Patrick J. Quinn	James F. Bartl
Director	Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director

By: /S/ Michael J. O'Meara	By: /S/ Maryjo Cohen
Michael J. O'Meara	Maryjo Cohen
Director	Chairperson of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 10, 2005

Page 25 of 51

F-1

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

	December 31, 2004				December 31, 2003

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents			$	104,724			$	143,765

Marketable securities				76,096				69,836

Accounts receivable	$	34,041			$	29,384

Less allowance for doubtful accounts		480		33,561		480		28,904


Inventories:

Finished goods		17,632				16,913

Work in process		8,798				4,490

Raw materials		7,697		34,127		3,235		24,638


Other current assets				8,991				8,113


Total current assets				257,499				275,256

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

Land and land improvements		1,836				544

Buildings		10,804				7,432

Machinery and equipment		42,112				19,001


		54,752				26,977

Less allowance for depreciation		13,527		41,225		9,771		17,206


OTHER ASSETS				7,104				8,931

			$	305,828			$	301,393

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 26 of 51

F-2

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except share and per share data)

	December 31, 2004				December 31, 2003

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable			$	18,439				$	21,341

Federal and state income taxes				5,804					5,662

Accrued liabilities				24,484					28,121


Total current liabilities				48,727					55,124

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES				1,626					—
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES				—					—

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock, $1 par value
Authorized: 12,000,000 shares
Issued: 7,440,518 shares	$	7,441			$	7,441

Paid-in capital		1,050				991

Retained earnings		265,970				258,506

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		93				(1,439	)


		274,554				265,499

Treasury stock, at cost, 617,267 shares in 2004 and 622,365 shares in 2003
		19,079				19,230


Total stockholders’ equity				255,475					246,269


			$	305,828				$	301,393

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 27 of 51

F-3

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands except per share data)

For the years ended December 31,	2004		2003		2002


Net sales	$	158,956	$	125,744	$	124,784

Cost of sales		118,890		88,283		96,488


Gross profit		40,066		37,461		28,296

Selling and general expenses		17,417		15,461		17,881

Plant closing costs		—		1,834		4,020

Pension plan termination expense		3,528		1,317		—


Operating profit		19,121		18,849		6,395

Other income, principally interest		3,585		4,234		5,119


Earnings before provision for income taxes		22,706		23,083		11,514

Provision for income taxes		7,265		7,606		2,824


Net earnings	$	15,441	$	15,477	$	8,690


Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		6,821		6,820		6,839

Diluted		6,823		6,821		6,840


Net earnings per share:
Basic	$	2.26	$	2.27	$	1.27

Diluted	$	2.26	$	2.27	$	1.27

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements

Page 28 of 51

F-4

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	In Thousands

For the years ended December 31,	2004			2003			2002

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	15,441		$	15,477		$	8,690
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Provision for depreciation		3,310			2,353			1,934
Deferred income taxes		126			2,252			311
Pension charges		2,052			322			2,646
Plant closing and asset impairment charges		—			(950	)		685
Other		1,160			584			(49	)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable		(4,657	)		(572	)		2,723
Inventories		(9,489	)		1,804			9,010
Prepaid expenses		(50	)		(308	)		(41	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(3,229	)		1,816			(980	)
Federal and state income taxes		142			2,019			588

Net cash provided by operating activities		4,806			24,797			25,517


Cash flows from investing activities:
Marketable securities purchased		(47,944	)		(18,075	)		(45,211	)
Marketable securities – maturities and sales		40,903			40,714			60,651
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(28,188	)		(2,903	)		(3,408	)
Acquisition of businesses		(1,400	)		(10,218	)		(500	)
Sale of property, plant, and equipment		759			1,434			4
Other		—			88			—

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(35,870	)		11,040			11,536


Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid		(7,977	)		(6,284	)		(6,290	)
Purchase of treasury stock		—			(425	)		(3	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(7,977	)		(6,709	)		(6,293	)


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(39,041	)		29,128			30,760
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		143,765			114,637			83,877

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	104,724		$	143,765		$	114,637


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	$	7,088		$	3,378		$	1,985

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

As of December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of tax was $93, $600, and $667.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 29 of 51

F-5

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands except share and per share data)
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002

	Common Stock		Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Comprehensive Income			Treasury Stock			Total


Balance January 1, 2002	$	7,441	$	1,011		$	246,913		$	(251	)	$	(18,762	)	$	236,352

Net earnings		—		—			8,690			—			—			8,690

Unrealized gain on available for sale
securities, net of tax		—		—			—			918			—			918

Unrealized loss on net periodic pension
cost, net of tax		—		—			—			(1,365	)		—			(1,365	)


Total other comprehensive income		—		—			—			—			—			8,243

Dividends paid, $.92 per share		—		—			(6,290	)		—			—			(6,290	)

Purchase of treasury stock – 100 shares		—		—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)

Other		—		(13	)		—			—			(32	)		(45	)


Balance December 31, 2002		7,441		998			249,313			(698	)		(18,797	)		238,257

Net earnings		—		—			15,477			—			—			15,477

Unrealized loss on available for sale
securities, net of tax		—		—			—			(67	)		—			(67	)

Unrealized loss on net periodic
pension cost, net of tax		—		—			—			(674	)		—			(674	)


Total other comprehensive income		—		—			—			—			—			14,736

Dividends paid, $.92 per share		—		—			(6,284	)		—			—			(6,284	)

Purchase of treasury stock – 16,300 shares		—		—			—			—			(425	)		(425	)

Other		—		(7	)		—			—			(8	)		(15	)


Balance December 31, 2003		7,441		991			258,506			(1,439	)		(19,230	)		246,269

Net earnings		—		—			15,441			—			—			15,441

Unrealized loss on available for sale
securities, net of tax		—		—			—			(507	)		—			(507	)

Unrealized loss on net periodic
pension cost, net of tax		—		—			—			2,039			—			2,039


Total other comprehensive income		—		—			—			—			—			16,973

Dividends paid, $1.17 per share		—		—			(7,977	)		—			—			(7,977	)

Other		—		59			—			—			151			210


Balance December 31, 2004	$	7,441	$	1,050		$	265,970		$	93		$	(19,079	)	$	255,475

The accompanying notes are an integral part of
the financial statements.

Page 30 of 51

F-6

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

(1)

USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: In preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from the estimates used by management.

(2)

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Presto Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

(3)

RECLASSIFICATIONS: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period’s financial statements to conform with the 2004 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications did not affect net earnings or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

(4)

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include money market funds and highly-liquid, tax exempt, variable rate demand notes with put options exercisable in three months or less.

The Company’s cash management policy provides for its bank disbursement accounts to be reimbursed on a daily basis. Checks issued but not presented to the bank for payment of $3,305,000 and $821,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, are included as reductions of cash and cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities: The Company has classified all marketable securities as available-for-sale which requires the securities to be reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, cost for marketable securities was determined using the specific identification method. A summary of the amortized costs and fair values of the Company’s marketable securities at December 31 is shown in the following table:

	MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2004
Tax exempt
government bonds	$	74,811,000	$	74,875,000	$	201,000	$	137,000
Equity securities		1,142,000		1,221,000		226,000		147,000

Total marketable securities	$	75,953,000	$	76,096,000	$	427,000	$	284,000


December 31, 2003
Tax exempt
government bonds	$	67,769,000	$	68,626,000	$	860,000	$	3,000
Equity securities		1,142,000		1,210,000		194,000		126,000

Total marketable securities	$	68,911,000	$	69,836,000	$	1,054,000	$	129,000

Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities totaled $40,903,000 in 2004, $40,714,000 in 2003, and $60,651,000 in 2002. Gross gains related to sales of marketable securities totaled $0, $0, and $16,000 in 2004, 2003, and 2002. Gross losses related to sales of marketable securities were $0, $0, and $231,000 in 2004, 2003 and 2002. Net unrealized gains and losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income and were gains of $142,000, $924,000 and $1,027,000 before taxes at December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002.

Page 31 of 51

F-7

The contractual maturities of the marketable securities held at December 31, 2004 are $48,018,000 in 2005, $16,443,000 in 2006, $7,581,000 in 2007, $2,833,000 beyond 2007 and $1,221,000 with indeterminate maturities.

(5)

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: The Company’s accounts receivable are related to sales of products. Credit is extended based on prior experience with the customer and evaluation of customers’ financial condition. Accounts receivable are primarily due within 30 days. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents an estimate of amounts considered uncollectible and is determined based on the Company’s historical collection experience, adverse situations that may affect the customers’ ability to pay, and prevailing economic conditions.

(6)

INVENTORIES: Housewares/small appliance segment inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined principally on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Inventory for defense and absorbent products segments are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined on the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method.

(7)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. For machinery and equipment, all amounts which are fully depreciated have been eliminated from both the asset and allowance accounts. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the costs of depreciable assets to operations over their service lives which are estimated at fifteen to forty years for buildings and three to ten years for machinery and equipment.

(8)

GOODWILL: The Company recognizes the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests whenever an impairment is indicated. Impairment losses will be recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. The Company’s goodwill as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was $3,556,000, $3,406,000 and $3,406,000 relating to its defense products segment. In addition, at December 31, 2004 and 2003 goodwill of $3,398,000 and $2,148,000 related to its absorbent products segment.

No impairment was indicated when the Company performed its annual impairment test on October 4, 2004. The Company has no unamortized intangible assets, other than goodwill.

(9)

REVENUE RECOGNITION: The Company recognizes revenue when product is shipped or title passes. The Company provides for its 60-day over-the-counter return privilege and warranties at the time of shipment for small appliance sales. Net sales is arrived at by deducting early payment discounts and cooperative advertising from gross sales.

(10)

ADVERTISING: The Company’s policy is to expense advertising as incurred for the year. Advertising expense was $3,665,000, $4,768,000 and $5,789,000 in 2004, 2003 and 2002.

(11)

STOCK OPTIONS: The intrinsic value method is used for valuing stock options issued. The pro forma effect on earnings of accounting for stock options using the fair value method is not material. See Note F.

(12)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: At December 31, 2004, the $93,000 of accumulated comprehensive income relates to the unrealized gain on the Company’s available-for-sales marketable security investments. At December 31, 2003, the accumulated comprehensive loss includes an additional net periodic pension liability related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan offset in part by an unrealizable gain on the Company’s available-for-sale marketable security investments. This amount is recorded net of tax effect.

(13)

PRODUCT WARRANTY: Company housewares/small appliance products are generally warranted to the original owner to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 to 12 years from date of purchase. The Company allows a sixty-day over-the-counter initial return privilege through cooperating dealers. The Company services its products through independent service providers throughout the United States and a corporate service repair operation. The Company’s service and warranty programs are competitive with those offered by other manufacturers in the industry. The Company determines its product

Page 32 of 51

F-8

warranty liability based on historical percentages which have remained relatively consistent over the years. As shown in the table below, during 2004 warranty expense decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to improved quality of product sourced from the Orient.

The following table shows the changes in product warranty liability for the period:

	(In Thousands)
	2004			2003
Beginning balance January 1,	$	2,115		$	1,465

Accruals during the period		1,626			3,398

Charges / payments made under the warranties		(2,043	)		(2,748	)


Balance December 31	$	1,698		$	2,115

(14)

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: In December 2003, The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) revised and reissued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, “Employer’s Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (SFAS 132(R)). This statement retains all of the disclosures that are required by the original FASB Statement 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits”, and includes several additional disclosures. It also requires certain disclosures about pension and other postretirement benefit plans in interim financial statements. The annual disclosures in SFAS 132(R) were adopted in fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The interim disclosure provisions of SFAS 132(R) were adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS151, “Inventory Costs”. The provisions of this statement become effective for the Company in fiscal 2006. SFAS 151 amends the existing guidance on the recognition of inventory costs to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Existing rules indicate that under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require treatment as current period charges. SFAS 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal”. In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the valuation of inventory or operating results.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment”. This revised standard addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which a company receives employee services in exchange for either equity instruments of the company or that are based on the fair value of the company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. Under the new standard, companies will no longer be able to account for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic method in accordance with APB 25. Instead, companies will be required to account for such transactions using a fair-value method and recognize the expense in the consolidated statement of income. SFAS 123R will be effective for all interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt this standard July 4, 2005 (beginning of third quarter) and it is not expected to have a material impact on its operating results.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets.” This statement addresses the fair value concepts contained in Opinion 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions” which included certain exceptions to the concept that exchanges of similar productive assets should be recorded at the carrying value of the asset relinquished. SFAS 153 eliminates that exception and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that lack commercial substance. Only nonmonetary exchanges in which an entity’s future cash flows are expected to significantly change as a result of the exchange will be considered to have commercial substance. SFAS 153 must be applied to nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material impact on our operating results.

Page 33 of 51

F-9

INVENTORIES:

The amount of inventories valued on the LIFO basis was $14,848,000 and $14,058,000 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and consists of housewares/small appliance finished goods. Under LIFO, inventories are valued at approximately $0 and $688,000 below current cost determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis at December 31, 2004 and 2003. The significant reduction in the amount of LIFO inventory below current cost from 2003 to 2004 is attributable to the Company’s decision to outsource manufacturing of its housewares/small appliances. See Note M for further information related to the effect of this decision on inventory valuation. The Company uses the LIFO method of inventory accounting to improve the matching of costs and revenues for the housewares/small appliance segment.

The following table demonstrates the effect if LIFO inventories had been valued at current cost determined on a FIFO basis.

	Increase (Decrease)
Year	Cost of Sales		Net Earnings			Earnings Per Share
2004	$	688,000	$	(427,000	)	$	(0.06	)
2003		5,035,000		(3,122,000	)		(0.46	)
2002		5,256,000		(3,259,000	)		(0.48	)

This information is provided for comparison with companies using the FIFO basis.

Inventory for defense, absorbent products and raw materials of the housewares/small appliance segment are valued under the first-in-first-out method and total $19,279,000 and $10,580,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003. The 2004 FIFO total is comprised of $2,784,000 of finished goods, $8,798,000 of work in process, and $7,697,000 of raw material and supplies. At December 31, 2003 FIFO total was comprised of $2,899,000 of finished goods, $4,490,000 of work in process, and $3,191,000 of raw material and supplies.

ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

At December 31, 2004 accrued liabilities consisted of payroll $4,201,000, insurance $15,947,000, environmental $2,011,000, plant closing costs $530,000 and other $1,795,000. At December 31, 2003 accrued liabilities consisted of payroll $2,213,000, insurance $16,015,000, environmental $2,287,000, plant closing costs $685,000, employee termination $836,000, minimum pension liability $3,310,000 and other $2,775,000.

TREASURY STOCK:

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has authority from the Board of Directors to reacquire an additional 504,600 shares. Under this authority, during 2004 and 2003, 0 and 16,300 shares were reacquired. Treasury shares have been used for the exercise of stock options and as contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan.

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:

Basic net earnings per share amounts have been computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. Diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents relating to stock options, when dilutive. Options to purchase 3,750 and 6,250 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $39.29 and $39.36 were outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, but were excluded from the computation of common share equivalents because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

STOCK OPTION PLAN:

The National Presto Industries, Inc. Stock Option Plan reserves 100,000 shares of common stock for key employees. Stock options for 2,000 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $39.11 per share were outstanding at December 31, 2004. Stock options for 3,750 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $39.29 per share were outstanding at December 31, 2003. There were 1,000 shares exercisable at $39.11 at

Page 34 of 51

F-10

December 31, 2004 and 1,000 shares exercisable at $39.29 at December 31, 2003. The pro forma effect of accounting for stock options using the fair value method is not material.

RETIREMENT PLANS:

Pension Plans:

During fiscal 2004, National Presto Industries, Inc. terminated its defined benefit pension plan and settled the benefit obligation through lump sum distributions and the purchase of nonparticipating annuity contracts. The effect of the settlement was a charge of $3,528,000.

FORM 10-K

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES (Owned Except Where Indicated)

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

PART II

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

SIGNATURES

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS