22nd Mar 2005 07:01
Johnson,Matthey PLC22 March 2005 For Release at 7.00 am Tuesday 22nd March 2005 Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update - Trading in line with Expectations Johnson Matthey's financial year ends on 31st March 2005 and its preliminaryannouncement of the full year results will be released on 2nd June 2005. Priorto entering its closed period the company is today issuing the following updateon current trading: "Trading in the second half of Johnson Matthey's financial year has continued inline with the trading update given on Wednesday 26th January, 2005. CatalystsDivision has continued to perform well with Environmental Catalysts andTechnologies benefiting from the growth in the market for diesel cars in Europe. The platinum price has remained strong and trading conditions in the preciousmetals markets have been good which has benefited Precious Metals Division.Pharmaceutical Materials Division's profits are slightly down with theanticipated drop in the contribution from carboplatin and weaker trading incontract research partly offset by good growth in controlled drugs. Colours andCoatings Division has continued its good recovery reported in the first half. The US dollar has averaged 1.88/£ for the second half of Johnson Matthey'sfinancial year compared with $1.81/£ for the first half of 2004/05 and $1.77/£for the second half of 2003/04. Dollar weakness will have an adverse effect onthe group's reported results for the full year but earnings per share, beforeexceptional items and goodwill amortisation, are still expected to be ahead oflast year and in line with market expectations." Enquiries:Ian Godwin Group Corporate Communications Manager 020 7269 8410John Sheldrick Group Finance Director 020 7269 8438Howard Lee The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7036 0369Laura Hickman Gavin Anderson & Co 020 7554 1400 www.matthey.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Johnson Matthey