Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (James Hardie Industries Plc) was submitted to the SEC on November 18, 2003. The filing serves to distribute the company's Second Quarter and Half Year results for the period ended September 30, 2003, along with dividend information. These results were originally lodged with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on November 13, 2003.
Key Financial Metrics
The provided filing text acts as a cover document and does not contain specific numerical data regarding revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. The actual financial figures are contained in Exhibit 99.1, which is referenced but not included in the text provided.
Material Changes
The filing text does not provide specific details on material changes versus prior periods. It references the attached exhibit for the Second Quarter and Half Year results, which would contain comparative data.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Management cautions that actual results may differ materially from expectations due to several risk factors, including:
- Competition and product pricing in operating markets.
- General economic and market conditions.
- Compliance with and changes in environmental and health and safety laws.
- Dependence on cyclical construction markets.
- Supply and cost of raw materials.
- Reliance on a small number of product distributors.
- Consequences of product failures or defects.
- Exposure to environmental or other legal proceedings.
- Risks associated with conducting business internationally.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the specific revenue and profit figures for the half-year ended September 30, 2003, by reviewing Exhibit 99.1 (the ASX announcement).
- Confirm the dividend amount and payment details referenced in the exhibit.
- Assess the impact of the cyclical construction market on the company's current performance.
- Review the company's exposure to raw material cost fluctuations and distributor concentration.