Smiths Group feels virus effect after solid first half

Operating profit from continuing operations in the year to the end of January rose to £186m from £175m as revenue increased 8% to £1.24bn. Pretax profit almost halved to £46m from £89m.

The FTSE 100 group's John Crane US seals and fastenings business, detection division and Flex-Tek fluid and gases unit registered good performances in the first half but its Interconnect electronic components business suffered from market weakness.

Smiths said in the first half only the Chinese operations of John Crane were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Trading to the end of March was affected by early Covid-19 disruption with an increasing impact on demand and supply.

As announced in a trading update on 31 March, Smiths has scrapped its half-year dividend and delayed the demerger of its medical business in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. The company said in the eight weeks to the end of March underlying revenue from continuing operations rose by mid-single digit figures.

Excluding its medical business Smiths said demand had weakened as some customers closed facilities temporarily and energy prices reduced capital spending in response to the oil price crash. Many airports are closed or running at reduced capacity with delays affecting Smiths' revenue.

Some companies are bringing forward installation, service and software activity and Smiths' detection division has a record order book, the company said.

Andy Reynolds Smith, the group's chief executive, said: "We started the year strongly, delivering good growth and cash across the Group. This positive start has also continued during the first two months of the second half, demonstrating the quality and financial strength of our business.

"Over the coming months, Covid-19 presents significant uncertainty and our number one priority is to keep our people safe and well. We enter this period confident in our resilience and preparedness: financially, operationally and strategically."