(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 28 mag - Johnson Matthey said that in the full year ended March 31 underlying basic earnings per share rose 16% to 128.5 pence.

Sales excluded precious metals fell 10% to 2.555 billion pounds.

Underlying operating profit grew 14% to 340 million pounds.

Free cash flow rose 163% to 168 million pounds.

The company plans to pay a final ordinary dividend of 55.0 pence per share. Together with the interim dividend of 22.0 pence per share, the total ordinary dividend reaches 77.0 pence per share, in line with the previous year.

JM noted that the 1.325 billion pound sale of the Catalyst Technologies business is on track to be completed by the end of August 2026. It added that 1 billion pounds of net sale proceeds will be returned to shareholders following completion.

For 2026/27, JM expects low to mid single digit percentage growth in underlying operating profit at constant precious metal prices and constant currency. The guidance excludes Catalyst Technologies and Cormetech.

It also anticipates to deliver a further improvement in free cash flow generation and capital expenditure is now expected to be higher at around 230 million pounds.

JM added that it is "on track to deliver sustainable free cash flow" of at least 250 million pounds annually. by 2027/28, of which at least 200 million will be returned to shareholders in respect of 2026/27 and beyond.

Performance will be weighted towards the second half.

(RADIOCOR) 28-05-26 08:43:58 (0140) 5 NNNN