Pre Close Trading Update

Johnson,Matthey PLC
22 March 2005



                                  For Release at 7.00 am Tuesday 22nd March 2005



                   Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update -

                       Trading in line with Expectations



Johnson Matthey's financial year ends on 31st March 2005 and its preliminary
announcement of the full year results will be released on 2nd June 2005.  Prior
to entering its closed period the company is today issuing the following update
on current trading:



'Trading in the second half of Johnson Matthey's financial year has continued in
line with the trading update given on Wednesday 26th January, 2005.  Catalysts
Division has continued to perform well with Environmental Catalysts and
Technologies benefiting from the growth in the market for diesel cars in Europe.
  The platinum price has remained strong and trading conditions in the precious
metals markets have been good which has benefited Precious Metals Division.
Pharmaceutical Materials Division's profits are slightly down with the
anticipated drop in the contribution from carboplatin and weaker trading in
contract research partly offset by good growth in controlled drugs.  Colours and
Coatings Division has continued its good recovery reported in the first half.



The US dollar has averaged 1.88/£ for the second half of Johnson Matthey's
financial year compared with $1.81/£ for the first half of 2004/05 and $1.77/£
for the second half of 2003/04.  Dollar weakness will have an adverse effect on
the group's reported results for the full year but earnings per share, before
exceptional items and goodwill amortisation, are still expected to be ahead of
last year and in line with market expectations.'





Enquiries:
Ian Godwin            Group Corporate Communications Manager       020 7269 8410
John Sheldrick        Group Finance Director                       020 7269 8438
Howard Lee            The HeadLand Consultancy                     020 7036 0369
Laura Hickman         Gavin Anderson & Co                          020 7554 1400



www.matthey.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange