28th Mar 2007 07:01
Johnson Matthey PLC28 March 2007 For Release at 7.00 am Wednesday 28th March 2007 Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update Johnson Matthey's financial year ends on 31st March 2007 and its preliminaryannouncement of the full year results will be released on 7th June 2007. 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 24th January 2007. CatalystsDivision is continuing to deliver good growth with Environmental Catalysts andTechnologies benefiting from increased sales of heavy duty diesel catalystsfollowing the introduction of new emission regulations in Europe and NorthAmerica. Process Catalysts and Technologies has also achieved good growth withstrong sales of synthesis gas catalysts and a good contribution from DavyProcess Technology. Precious Metal Products Division has had a particularly strong second half withcontinuing favourable conditions in the platinum group metal (pgm) markets.Pharmaceutical Materials is also ahead of last year with continued recovery inits US business. On Wednesday 28th February 2007 we completed the sale of our Ceramics Division.The proceeds from the disposal of the division will be used to buy back sharesand fund bolt-on acquisitions. Overall, despite adverse exchange translation, Johnson Matthey has achieved goodgrowth in sales and earnings this year and the outlook for the new financialyear is encouraging." Enquiries: Ian Godwin Director, IR and Corporate Communications 020 7269 8410John Sheldrick Group Finance Director 020 7269 8408Howard Lee The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5225Laura Hickman The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5227 www.matthey.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Johnson Matthey