Analysts Site Visit to the US

Johnson,Matthey PLC
17 September 2002



                          For release at 11.30 am on Tuesday 17th September 2002



Analyst Site Visit to the US & Comment on Current Trading


Johnson Matthey is hosting a visit to its Pharmaceutical Materials and
Autocatalyst businesses in the US for chemicals stockbroking analysts during
16th and 17th September 2002.  On 17th September, Chris Clark, Chief Executive
of Johnson Matthey, will be giving a brief update on current trading.  The main
points of which are as follows:

Trading in Johnson Matthey's second quarter is in line with expectations.  The
progress of each of the group's divisions is similar to the first quarter.

Catalysts & Chemicals Division is achieving good growth with the autocatalyst
business continuing to benefit from the worldwide introduction of our precision
coating technology.  Precious Metals Division's profits are down on last year
reflecting lower average prices for platinum group metals (pgm's) compared with
last year and subdued trading conditions in the pgm markets.  Colours & Coatings
Division's profitability has improved since the second half of last year as the
benefits of the rationalisation programme announced in January come through.
Pharmaceutical Materials Division is achieving strong growth benefiting from
good sales of the new products launched at the end of last year and good
contributions from Macfarlan Smith and Pharm-Eco.

The US dollar has weakened significantly against sterling in the last few
months.  This will have an impact on the translation of the group's US profits
into sterling.  Despite this adverse exchange translation and the lower average
pgm prices experienced in the first half, the group still expects to deliver
growth in profit before tax, exceptional items and goodwill amortisation for the
six months to 30th September 2002 compared with the same period of last year.



Enquiries:

Howard  Lee                Gavin Anderson & Co       020 7554 1400

Will Swan                  Gavin Anderson & Co       020 7554 1400


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