James Hardie Industries N.V. Form 6-K Summary
Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K, filed on May 19, 2005, by James Hardie Industries N.V. (a foreign private issuer headquartered in Amsterdam), serves as a conduit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a Preliminary Final Report originally filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on May 16, 2005. The registrant files annual reports under Form 40-F.
Financial Metrics
The provided filing text does not contain specific financial data. It acts as a cover document referencing an attached exhibit (Exhibit 99.1) which contains the Preliminary Final Report. Consequently, values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, and liquidity are not present in this text.
Material Changes
The filing text does not provide specific details on material changes versus prior periods. The referenced Preliminary Final Report (Exhibit 99.1) would contain the comparative financial analysis.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The document includes a comprehensive Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Management cautions that actual results may differ materially from projections due to various risks, including:
- Liabilities arising from the prior manufacture of asbestos by ABN 60 and former subsidiaries.
- Competition and product pricing dynamics.
- General economic and market conditions.
- Compliance with environmental and health and safety laws.
- The successful transition of new senior management.
- Supply and cost of raw materials.
- Reliance on a small number of product distributors.
- Product failures or defects.
- Exposure to environmental, asbestos, or other legal proceedings.
- International business risks, tax law changes, and foreign exchange risks.
Key Facts for Investor Verification
- Verify the contents of Exhibit 99.1 (Preliminary Final Report) for actual financial results, as this Form 6-K text contains no numerical data.
- Assess the magnitude of asbestos-related liabilities and legal proceedings mentioned in the risk factors.
- Monitor the status of the transition of new senior management.
- Review the company's exposure to raw material costs and distributor concentration.