Judges Scientific Regulatory News (JDG)

22 Jan 2010 07:00

22 January 2010

Judges Scientific plc (the "Company" or "Judges Scientific")

Trading statement

Following the conclusion of the financial year to 31 December 2009, the Board of Judges Scientific is in a position to further update the market and quantify some of the indications given in the trading statement released on 11 December 2009.

As stated in last month's announcement, trading has continued to be strong and the Group has translated a record 2009 opening order book and favourable exchange rates into a robust performance for the year in terms of sales, margins and cash generation. In the light of this and a satisfactory contribution from Quorum, the Board anticipates that adjusted earnings per share for 2009 will be at the higher end of current market expectations.

As explained throughout 2009, the Company did not expect a repeat of the extraordinary order inflow experienced during the last four months of 2008 and, as a result, did not expect to match the order book level reached at the end of 2008. Nevertheless, the last four weeks of the year produced a solid order intake and the order backlog as at 31 December 2009 represents approximately 11 weeks of sales which, while lower than the 19 weeks on hand as at 31 December 2008, is similar to the 11 week order book outstanding as at 31 December 2007, a more normal point of reference. 

The aforementioned orders provide satisfactory visibility and, taking into account the Company's strong balance sheet and an improved, albeit still fragile, world economic outlook, your Board enters 2010 with confidence.

Ends

Press enquiries:

David Cicurel, CEO, Judges Scientific 

Tel: 01342 323 600

  Pascal Keane, Shore Capital

Tel: 020 7408 4090

Melvyn Marckus, Cardew Group

Tel: 07775 896 491