27th Sep 2006 07:00
For Release at 7.00 am Wednesday 27th September 2006 Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update for the Half Year The first half of Johnson Matthey's current financial year ends on 30thSeptember 2006 and its interim results for the half year will be announced on22nd November 2006. Prior to entering its closed period the company is todayissuing the following update on current trading:"Trading in the first half of Johnson Matthey's financial year has been in linewith expectations. The encouraging start made in the first quarter continued inthe second, which saw slightly stronger growth.Catalysts Division has achieved good growth in sales and profits in the halfyear. Environmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT) has benefited fromincreased sales of catalysts for diesel cars in Europe. Sales of catalysed sootfilters have grown significantly, reflecting increasing consumer demand for theearly fitment of these products. Autocatalyst sales are well up in Asia withECT continuing to achieve strong growth in Japan and China, however demand isweaker in the USA as a result of production cutbacks by the domestic carmanufacturers. Process Catalysts and Technologies has also achieved goodresults with a useful contribution from Davy Process Technology, which wasacquired at the end of last year, and further strong demand for synthesis gascatalysts.Precious Metal Products Division has continued to benefit from the favourabletrading conditions for platinum group metals and good demand for manufacturedproducts and refining services. Trading results for the remaining parts of thegroup are in line with their performance in the first quarter withPharmaceutical Materials Division's sales ahead of last year and Ceramicstrading in line with its performance in 2005.The outlook for the rest of the year remains very much as we set out in theoutlook statement in our annual report. We expect growth in the second half ofthe year to be stronger than the first, with increased sales of catalysts forheavy duty diesel vehicles in Europe and North America as the new emissionslegislation comes fully into effect."Enquiries:Ian Godwin Director, IR and Corporate 020 7269 8410 Communications John Sheldrick Group Finance Director 020 7269 8438 Howard Lee The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5225 Laura Hickman The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5227 www.matthey.comENDJOHNSON MATTHEY PLCRelated Shares:
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