The Johnson Matthey share price dives 20% in a month. What happened?

The Johnson Matthey share price has plunged by almost 22% in the past month and is down 37% from its 2021 peak. Why did this share price crash so hard?

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Light bulb with growing tree.

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

It’s been a rough month for shareholders of global science, chemicals, and sustainable technologies company Johnson Matthey (LSE: JMAT). The Johnson Matthey share price crashed over the past 30 days, after the firm abandoned a promising green technology.

The Johnson Matthey share price crashes

There are 101 stocks in the FTSE 100 index (one company has dual-listed shares). Today, the Johnson Matthey share price is ranked 99/101 Footsie stocks over 3o days. In other words, it’s the index’s third-worst performer over one month.

As I write, the Johnson Matthey share price stands at 2,132p, down 50p (-2.3%) since Tuesday. It is also down 6.6% over five days, 21.5% over one month, and 33% over six months. Yikes. Then again, the shares soared earlier this year, hitting their 52-week high of 3,363p on 28 April 2021. But it has been all downhill since then, with the stock losing more than a third (-36.6%) since its spring peak.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Johnson Matthey Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Battered by battery pull out

After recent setbacks, Johnson Matthey is valued at £4.1bn, making it a FTSE 100 lightweight. Indeed, further declines could see the group exit the blue-chip index for the mid-cap FTSE 250. After recent falls, this stock trades on 20 times earnings and offers an earnings yield of 4%. The dividend yield is 3.3%, below the FTSE 100’s 4.1%.

So what went wrong? The steepest fall in the Johnson Matthey share price came on Thursday, 11 November, when the group revealed that it was pulling out of the market for battery metals. This left some investors worrying the group might go ex-growth, leading to a one-day crash of 19.1% in JMAT stock. But some Fools now believe this share is in bargain territory.

Investing in AI: 3 Stocks with Huge Potential!

🤖 Are you fascinated by the potential of AI? 🤖

Imagine investing in cutting-edge technology just once, then watching as it evolves and grows, transforming industries and potentially even yielding substantial returns.

If the idea of being part of the AI revolution excites you, along with the prospect of significant potential gains on your initial investment…

Then you won’t want to miss this special report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor – 'AI Front Runners: 3 Surprising Stocks Riding The AI Wave’!

And today, we’re giving you exclusive access to ONE of these top AI stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free AI stock pick

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Cliffdarcy has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services, such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool, we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Two business people sitting at cafe working on new project using laptop. Young businesswoman taking notes and businessman working on laptop computer.
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in the FTSE 100 at the start of 2025 is now worth…

The FTSE 100 has bounced back from April’s tariff sell-off. Roland Head crunches the numbers and highlights a stock to…

Read more »

Passive and Active: text from letters of the wooden alphabet on a green chalk board
Investing Articles

Up 20% with a 9% yield! This stock remains my top passive income earner

When it comes to earning passive income through dividend investing, this major FTSE 100 insurer is the undeniable winner in…

Read more »

4 Teslas in a parking lot at a charger station
Investing Articles

Tesla vs Ferrari: which stock is leading the race in 2025?

This writer digs into the Q1 numbers to see whether his decision to choose Ferrari over Tesla stock has been…

Read more »

Businessman with tablet, waiting at the train station platform
Investing Articles

Here’s the growth forecasts for Next shares through to 2028!

Next's shares have risen in price again after another forecast-raising trading statement. Is the FTSE 100 company a white hot…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Up 145%, this investment trust has a P/E ratio of 10. Is it still a bargain?

The long-term track record of this investment trust has been excellent. Our writer thinks it could still be a bargain…

Read more »

Bournemouth at night with a fireworks display from the pier
Investing Articles

These 3 dividend shares are on fire but they’re still dirt-cheap and pay piles of income!

Harvey Jones is hugely impressed by 3 FTSE 100 dividend shares that have managed to deliver on two key fronts,…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

9% yield! Is this one of the best dividend stocks to consider buying right now?

With signs the worst for it might be over, dividend investors should add B&M European Value to their lists of…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Down 26% in 3 months! What’s going on with the Alphabet share price?

Stock market investors sold off Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) shares heavily yesterday. Is this a worry or a timely buying opportunity to…

Read more »