LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) – Johnson Matthey, the
world’s largest supplier of catalytic converters, reported
virtually flat underlying profit for the first quarter, hit by a
“substantial reduction” in earnings from its precious metal
products division.
The British speciality chemicals company said on Wednesday
underlying profit before tax came in at 99.9 million pounds
($155.1 million) in the three months to end-June, against 98.2
million a year ago, on the back of a 6 percent rise in sales.
It said “good growth” in profit at its key environmental
technologies and fine chemicals divisions was offset by the
impact of lower platinum and palladium prices on the services
business of its precious metal products arm.
Johnson Matthey last month proposed its first ever special
dividend after posting larger than expected full year profits.
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