Johnson Matthey increases its 2015 full year dividend by 9%

Group Performance

·        Sales up 8% and underlying PBT 7% ahead at constant rates

·        Underlying PBT at constant rates and adjusted for revised Anglo Platinum contracts up 15%

·        Underlying EPS up 6%

·        PBT up 22% to £495.8m and EPS up 26% to 211.2p due to profit on sale of Gold and Silver Refining

·        Strong balance sheet - net debt (including post tax pension deficits) / EBITDA up to 1.7 times

·        Working capital increased due to business growth and higher precious metal inventories at year end

·        ROIC at 18.8%, down 2.0% due to loss of income from Anglo Platinum and higher working capital

·        Final dividend of 49.5p recommended, resulting in full year dividend up 9% at 68.0p