Earnings release
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Judges Scientific Plc ( " Judges Scientific " or " the Group " ) Half Year Trading Update and Notice of Interim Results Judges Scientific ( AIM : JDG ) , the group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector , provides the following update regarding the Group's trading performance for the six - month period ended 30 June 2021 . The period has been one of recovery for our Group , reflecting a strong economic improvement in much of the world and the continued challenges of the pandemic , principally travel restrictions which remain prevalent throughout our markets . Order intake Despite the sustained impact of COVID - 19 on the Group's commercial activities , order intake has shown a strong recovery . Across the Group , Organic * order intake for the 6 months to 30 June was up 25.1 % compared to the same period last year which was down 17.3 % on H1 2019. Progress was strongest in areas which were affected most in 2020 with North America up 41 % , the Rest of Europe up 34 % , the UK up 26 % , China / Hong Kong up 2 % and the Rest of the World up 8 % . Order intake still varied considerably from business to business . Order book The improved order intake restored the Organic order book to a robust 16.1 weeks of budgeted revenue as at 30 June 2021 , compared to 10.8 weeks as at 30 June 2020 and 14.0 weeks as at 31 December 2020. The total order book , including Heath Scientific and Korvus Technology , stood at 17.6 weeks at 30 June 2021 . Revenue Organic sales in the first half were up 5 % compared to H1 2020 , which were themselves down by 12 % year - on - year . This is a reflection of two factors ; H1 2020 performance was enhanced by a significant compression of the order book whereas H1 2021 performance saw growth in the order book which mitigated the recovery in sales . First Half Performance and Outlook The Group delivered strong profitability in each of the first six months of this year and generated positive operating cash - flow for the period . As a result , the Group has maintained a robust balance sheet with solid liquidity and in the absence of an unforeseen worsening of the pandemic , the board is confident that market expectations for the full year will be met . Notice of Results The Company intends to announce its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2021 on Friday 24 September 2021 . * Heath Scientific was acquired on 29 May 2020 and Korvus Technology on 19 October 2020 ; references to " Organic " information in this update exclude any contribution from these two businesses .