Johnson Matthey offers divi boost

By JAMIE GRIERSON AND PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 07/06/2012 10:13

Chemicals giant Johnson Matthey provided a catalyst for its share price today by revealing a 58 per cent jump in profits and a windfall for shareholders.

An ongoing shift towards greener technologies helped lift profits in the year to 31 March to £409.3 million, said the Hertfordshire-based group, which owns Macfarlan Smith in Edinburgh,

The stellar performance, which included a 20 per cent jump in revenues to £12 billion, prompted the group to award investors with a special dividend worth £212m, or £1 a share. Shares were 3 per cent higher in early trading.

Johnson Matthey, which employs 9,000 people and also has operations in Reading and Swindon, specialises in catalysts, precious metals, fine chemicals and process technology.