Cookson Group plc (CKSN.L) stated that trading for the first four months for the group as a whole has been in line with internal expectations. Despite the previously identified continuing losses in the Fused Silica business, group trading profit was slightly ahead of the equivalent period last year.
Further, management's expectations for the group's full year performance in 2012 remain unchanged.
While the macro-economic outlook continues to be uncertain, trading to date and feedback from customers and third party industry forecasters continues to indicate mid-single digit growth globally in the company's main end-markets in 2012, with generally weaker demand in Europe offset by continued growth in the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
The Board remains confident of Cookson's ability to achieve further progress in the current year towards its 2013 targets, driving further value for shareholders.
As part of its continued focus on maximising business performance and shareholder value, the Board routinely reviews the potential strategic portfolio options for the group. The Board believes that there remains considerable scope to further enhance performance of the individual businesses and unlock further shareholder value. Accordingly it has initiated a strategic review which, over the coming months, will consider a number of options for the group.
These options include a potential demerger or separation of Cookson's main divisions, given the limited operational or end-market overlap between the Engineered Ceramics division and the Performance Materials division.
The company said its Board will update shareholders on the progress of this strategic review as and when appropriate.
Cookson Group further noted that Steve Corbett, the Chief Executive of the Performance Materials division, joined the Board as an executive Director on May 1 and is standing for election at today's AGM. Emma FitzGerald, having been appointed after the 2011 AGM, is also standing for election for the first time today. All other current Directors are standing for re-election.
The company's Board announced that it has invited Christer Gardell to join the Board as a non-executive Director with effect from June 1.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.