24th Jan 2014 09:14
LONDON (Alliance News) - Judges Scientific PLC Friday said it expects its 2013 adjusted earnings per share to be at the higher end of market expectations after it achieved good organic sales growth and margins were "satisfactory", but it described the recent strength of sterling as unhelpful.
In a trading update, the makes of precision scientific instruments said that order intake had softened in the second quarter after a strong start to the year, but then gradually improved during the second half leading to an "excellent few weeks" towards the end of the year. It said it ended the year with an order book of ten-and-a-half week, the same as the end of 2012.
"The recent strength of Sterling is not helpful for export driven industries but Judges has started 2014 with good order visibility, a solid balance sheet and an improved economic environment," the company said in its statement.
Shore Capital is forecasting a 2013 EPS figure of 90.50 pence, while WH Ireland is forecasting 80.80 pence, according to data from Hemscott.
Judges Scentific shares were down 3.2% at 2,025 pence Friday morning.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @SteveMcGrath1
Copyright © 2014 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Judges Scientific