FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
April 30, 2003
Commission File Number 001-14978
SMITH & NEPHEW plc
(Registrant's name)
15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained
in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
Total Pages: 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Smith & Nephew plc
(Registrant)
Date: April 30, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers
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Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
2
29 April 2003
SMITH & NEPHEW AGM TRADING UPDATE
Smith & Nephew plc, the advanced medical devices group, is on track to achieve
its financial goals for 2003, Chairman Dudley Eustace told shareholders at the
company's Annual General Meeting today.
The planned transaction to combine Smith & Nephew and Centerpulse AG to form a
global leader in orthopaedics is proceeding satisfactorily, with documents
posted to both companies' shareholders and notice given of an Extraordinary
General Meeting of Smith & Nephew shareholders on 19 May 2003.
Smith & Nephew plc confirms its previous trading statement made at the time of
the announcement of its intent to combine with Centerpulse AG, namely that the
Orthopaedics and Wound Management businesses have had a solid start to the
year. The implementation of the dual divisional structure of Orthopaedics into
Reconstructive Implants and Trauma is progressing well, as is the introduction
of specialised sales forces in the US. Endoscopy, however, has experienced
some pressure from the increased re-use of disposable blades in the US.
Mr Eustace said: "Our business strategy has proved very successful over the
last three years. The increase in commercially attractive new products
combined with technology acquisitions and increased investment in sales forces
are providing us with the means of delivering sustainable growth. We look
forward with confidence to the remainder of the year, as well as completing
the transaction to combine Centerpulse with our business."
Enquiries:
Smith & Nephew plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 7401 7646
Chris O'Donnell, Chief Executive
Peter Hooley, Finance Director
Angie Craig, Corporate Affairs Director
Financial Dynamics Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113
David Yates