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
December 19, 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
--- ---
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: December 19, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers
------------------------
Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
2
Smith & Nephew plc T 44 (0) 207 401 7476 We are Smith & Nephew
15 Adam Street F 44 (0) 207 960 2350
London WC2N 6LA www.smith-nephew.com
England
Smith & Nephew Trading Update
Strong Performance in Orthopaedics
18 December 2003
Smith & Nephew is to give a trading update to investors and analysts today
ahead of the close period preceding its Preliminary Results Announcement. The
company will announce its preliminary results for 2003 on 5 February 2004 at
noon GMT (7am EST). A meeting for analysts will take place in London later
that day at 3pm GMT/10am EST. Investors outside the UK will be able to
participate in the meeting via webcast and conference call.
Smith & Nephew has continued to deliver good top line growth in the second
half, with underlying sales growth of 10% expected for the full year.
Orthopaedics is continuing to perform strongly, with underlying sales growth
of 16% expected for the year. Knee sales are growing 23% worldwide, and hips
and trauma are growing 15% and 11% respectively. Endoscopy's underlying sales
growth is expected to be 4% for the year with blade reuse and lower orders
from HealthSouth impacting US growth. Advanced Wound Management is seeing its
first half sales growth of 8% continue for the full year.
Chris O'Donnell, Chief Executive of Smith & Nephew said, "Smith & Nephew has
sustained its momentum during the second half of 2003. Our strong Orthopaedics
sales growth and overall margin improvement continue to give us confidence in
meeting our EPSA growth goals."
Enquiries:
Smith & Nephew
Angie Craig Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646
Corporate Affairs Director
Financial Dynamics
David Yates Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
About Us
Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE:SNN) is one of the world's leading medical
devices companies, specialising in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound
Management. Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and
advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics
company in the world.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company
prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and
healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the
highest standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has 7,500
employees and operates in 32 countries around the world, generating sales of
over (GBP)1 billion.
NEWS