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



                                                               FORM 8-K
                                                            CURRENT REPORT

                                Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934





Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) .................................................... July 10, 2003

Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter ...................................... Baldor Electric Company

State or other jurisdiction of incorporation ............................................................. Missouri

Commission File Number ................................................................................... 01-07284

IRS Employer Identification No ......................................................................... 43-0168840

Address of principal executive offices ................................................ 5711 R. S. Boreham, Jr., St
                                                                                               Fort Smith, Arkansas
Zip Code .................................................................................................... 72901

Registrant's telephone number, including area code ................................................... 479-646-4711

Former name or former address, if changed sine last report .................................................... N/A






Item 9. .REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
The following  information  is being  provided under Item 12 - Results of Operations  and Financial  Condition.  It is being  furnished
under  Item 9 of this Form 8-K in  accordance  with  interim  guidance  issued by the SEC in release  No.  33-8216.  Such  information,
including the Exhibit attached hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
On July 10, 2003,  Baldor Electric  Company issued a news release to report its financial  results for the second quarter and first six
months ended June 28, 2003.  The release is furnished as Exhibit 99 hereto.







                                                              SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                              Baldor Electric Company
                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Registrant)



Date    July 15, 2003                                           /s/  Ronald E. Tucker
---------------------------------                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              Ronald E. Tucker
                                                              Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
                                                              (Principal Financial Officer)





                                                        BALDOR ELECTRIC COMPANY

                                                           INDEX OF EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.           Description
-----------           -----------

99                    Company issued news release dated July 10, 2003