Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing covers the month of January 2008 for James Hardie Industries N.V., a foreign private issuer headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The report was signed on February 1, 2008, by Russell Chenu, Managing Director. The filing primarily serves to disclose two new issue announcements filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on January 29 and January 30, 2008.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. The document consists of cover pages, a safe harbor statement, an exhibit index, and signatures, but does not include the financial data contained within the referenced exhibits.
Material Changes
No material changes to financial performance or operations are detailed in the provided text. The filing references the submission of new issue announcements but does not quantify the impact of these issues or compare them to prior periods.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a comprehensive Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Key risks and uncertainties identified include:
- Expectations regarding payments to the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund (AICF) and the effect of foreign exchange on asbestos provisions.
- Legal proceedings brought by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission against the company and former directors.
- Reliance on credit facilities being extended or renewed.
- General economic conditions, raw material costs, and competition.
- Product failures, environmental liabilities, and natural disasters.
Management cautions that actual results may differ materially from projections due to these factors.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the specific terms and capital raised in the "New Issue announcements" (Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) referenced but not detailed in this text.
- Review the latest Form 20-F (filed July 6, 2007) for detailed risk factors and historical financial data.
- Monitor updates regarding the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund (AICF) payment schedules and foreign exchange impacts.
- Track the status of legal proceedings involving the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.