Not sure if there are any holders on here but here go's.



Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals company focused on its core skills in catalysis, precious metals, fine chemicals and process technology. Johnson Matthey's principal activities are the manufacture of autocatalysts, heavy duty diesel catalysts and pollution control systems, catalysts and components for fuel cells, catalysts and technologies for chemical processes, fine chemicals, chemical catalysts and active pharmaceutical ingredients and the marketing, refining, and fabrication of precious metals. Johnson Matthey has continued to develop its technology for almost 200 years, demonstrating the company's ability to maintain world leadership by adapting constantly to rapidly changing customer needs. Rigorous in its own environmental policies, many of Johnson Matthey's products have a major beneficial impact on the environment and enhance the quality of life for millions of people around the world. Johnson Matthey has operations in over 30 countries and employs around 9,000 people. Its products are sold across the world to a wide range of advanced technology industries. The group is organised into three global divisions: Environmental Technologies; Precious Metal Products and Fine Chemicals.

StockMarketWire.com
Johnson Matthey's first half sales were up 5% and underlying pre-tax profits rose by 5%.

The group said its performance at constant rates was on-track and in line with its previous expectations.

The full year outlook for continuing businesses at constant rates is unchanged and the group expects performance to be slightly ahead of last year.

First half revenues totalled £5,625m - down 2% at actual rates and 6% down at constant rates. Sales excluding precious metals totalled £1,676m - up 5% at actual rates and down 1% at constant rates. Underlying PBT was £219.6m - up 5% at actual rates and donw 3% at constant rates.

Chief executive Robert MacLeod said: "Johnson Matthey had a solid first half, supported by favourable exchange rates, and our health and safety performance improved. Trading for the group during the period was in line with our expectations in our continuing businesses on a constant currency basis. We have increased our interim dividend by 5% reflecting our confidence in the medium term.

"I am pleased with the performance of Emission Control Technologies (ECT), where strong growth in Europe and Asia offset the expected cyclical weakness in North America. New Businesses made good progress and Process Technologies has maintained its strong position in tough markets. In Fine Chemicals, first half performance was held back by an unfavourable product mix in our Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Manufacturing business.

"Our guidance for the full year remains unchanged for our continuing businesses on a constant currency basis; that we expect the group's performance to be slightly ahead of last year. In addition, the group will benefit from favourable exchange rates if current rates are maintained.

"Johnson Matthey remains well positioned in growth markets. Through continued investment in R&D, our infrastructure and our people, we will continue to deliver both long term growth for shareholders and sustainable technologies that make the world around us cleaner and healthier."

"As the weakening of sterling versus other major currencies in the first half had a material impact on the reported performance of the business, we have focused commentary on performance at constant rates. Unless otherwise stated, commentary refers to performance at constant rates."

Final Results http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5559448

Some salient points:

Johnson Matthey posted solid growth in sales and profits for the year to 31 March, with revenue up 12% and profit before tax up 19%, helped by a big currency benefit. The chemicals group recommended a final dividend per share of 54.5p, that lifted the full year payout to 75p, a 5% annual increase that the company said reflected confidence in its medium term prospects.

Up 12% on news today.

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