Trading Statement and Notice of Final Results

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

Trading Statement and Notice of Final Results

EPS expected to be ahead of current market expectations

The Board of Judges Scientific, 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 2017. 

The positive demand for our products, observed since June 2016, was sustained throughout 2017 with organic* order intake increasing 16% over the prior year. As a result, the Group enters 2018 with a robust order book totalling 14.9 weeks of sales compared to 13.9 weeks on 1 January 2017.

For the year as a whole, the two businesses that had experienced lower demand in 2016 recovered to normal levels of orders, sales and profitability. The business which had been affected by production and supply chain problems has made progress, particularly in the last four months of the year. 

Group sales and profits were driven forward by the healthy order intake and the very favourable exchange rates. Consequently, the Board anticipates that EPS for the full year ended 31 December 2017 will be ahead of current market expectations.

Judges expects to announce its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2017 on 20 March 2018. 

* Organic includes those businesses owned by the Group prior to 1 January 2016

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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 16 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 companies hold 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