Transaction in Own Shares

Transaction in Own Shares

Johnson Matthey PLC announces that on 21 August 2007 it purchased 180,000
ordinary shares at a price of 1586.92 pence per share. All of the purchased
shares will be held as treasury shares.

Following the above purchase, Johnson Matthey PLC holds 5,299,215 ordinary
shares as treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue
(excluding shares held as treasury shares) is 215,374,398.

Therefore, the total number of Johnson Matthey PLC ordinary shares with voting
rights is 215,374,398. This figure may be used by shareholders and other
parties subject to disclosure obligations as the denominator for calculations
by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in,
or a change to their interest in, Johnson Matthey PLC under the FSA's
Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

S Farrant
Company Secretary
22 August 2007