Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (James Hardie) covers the month of September 2006, with the report dated September 18, 2006. The registrant is a foreign private issuer headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and files annual reports on Form 20-F. The filing primarily serves to disclose an exhibit regarding the exercise of options filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on September 12, 2006.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. This document is a procedural filing referencing an external exhibit and does not contain a financial results summary or balance sheet data.
Material Changes
No material changes to financial performance or operations are detailed in the text of this filing. The document references a Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements but does not report specific operational changes or comparative period data.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a Safe Harbor Statement identifying various forward-looking statements and associated risks. Key areas of uncertainty and risk highlighted include:
- Conditions precedent to the Final Funding Agreement.
- Payments to a special purpose fund for asbestos-related personal injury and death claims.
- Amended assessments by the Australian Tax Office.
- Extension or renewal of credit facilities.
- Product or environmental liabilities and legal proceedings.
- Compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Management cautions that actual results may differ materially from expectations due to these factors.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the details of the "Exercise of Options" referenced in Exhibit 99.1 filed with the Australian Stock Exchange.
- Review the status of the Final Funding Agreement and asbestos-related compensation fund payments.
- Monitor updates regarding the Australian Tax Office amended assessment.
- Check the status of credit facility renewals and liquidity positions in subsequent filings.