Trading Statement and Notice of Final Results

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

Trading Statement and Notice of Final Results

The Board of Judges Scientific plc, a group involved in the buy and build of scientific instrument businesses, updates shareholders and the market on the Group's trading performance for the financial year ended 31 December 2019. 

Year-on-year Organic* order intake progressed 3.3%. Over the year as a whole demand was healthy but uneven during the year; in particular order intake in December was less buoyant than in 2018. Despite this, the Group starts the new year with a comfortable Organic* order book, stable in value compared to the 2018 year-end and equivalent to 13.2 weeks of budgeted sales (31 December 2018: 14.2 weeks).

The Group's performance has been driven by continued healthy demand, by a strong focus on timely deliveries and by the still excellent exchange rates; as a result, the Board anticipates that EPS for the full year ended 31 December 2019 will be slightly ahead of market expectations which were revised upwards following the publication of the interim results on 18 September 2019.

Notice of Final Results

Judges expects to announce its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2019 on 18 March 2020. 

*Organic includes those businesses owned by the Group prior to 1 January 2018

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 Notes to editors:

Judges Scientific plc (AIM: JDG), is a group involved in the buy and build of scientific instrument businesses. The Group currently consists of 17 businesses acquired since it was re-admitted to AIM in 2005.

The acquired companies are primarily UK-based with products sold worldwide to a diverse range of markets including: higher education institutions, the scientific communities, manufacturers and regulatory authorities. The UK is a recognised centre of excellence for scientific instruments. The Group has received five Queen's Awards for innovation and export.

The Group's companies predominantly operate in global niche markets, with long term growth fundamentals and resilient margins.

Judges Scientific maintains a policy of selectively acquiring businesses that generate sustainable profits and cash. Shareholder returns are created through the repayment of debt, organic growth and dividends.

For further information, please visit www.judges.uk.com

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