26th Jan 2006 09:15
Johnson Matthey PLC26 January 2006 For Release at 9.15 am on Thursday 26th January 2006 Johnson Matthey Trading Update Johnson Matthey is hosting an analysts' visit today at its PharmaceuticalMaterials business in Edinburgh. At the meeting Neil Carson, Chief Executive ofJohnson Matthey, gave the following update on current trading: "Trading in the second half of Johnson Matthey's financial year is progressingin line with expectations. Catalysts Division continues to perform well withEnvironmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT) benefiting from growth in dieselemission control products in Europe. Demand for autocatalysts in the USAremains weak but sales in China and Japan are well up on last year. Overall ECTis on track to achieve 10% growth in profits in the second half. ProcessCatalysts and Technologies (PCT) is also expected to achieve good growth for theyear led by the Ammonia, Methanol, Oil and Gas (AMOG) catalyst business. Salesof catalysts for hydrogen generation and gas purification have been particularlystrong. Precious Metal Products Division has had a good third quarter and should benefitfrom the strong platinum price which rose above $1,000/oz earlier this month.Pharmaceutical Materials Division's sales were up in the third quarter andprofits in the second half should be ahead of the first. Ceramics Division hasmaintained the improvement achieved in the first half and should deliver goodprofit growth for the year. Overall, the outlook for the full year remains very much the same as we set outin our interim statement. Following an encouraging first half we are expectingto achieve good growth in earnings for the year." Enquiries: Ian Godwin Director, IR and Corporate Communications 020 7269 8410 John Sheldrick Group Finance Director 020 7269 8438 Howard Lee The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5225 www.matthey.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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