Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (James Hardie) covers the month of November 2006, with the report dated November 17, 2006. The filing serves as a report of a foreign private issuer to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 update regarding a legal agreement rather than a financial results report.
Material Changes
The primary material change disclosed is an extension of the deadline for the Final Funding Agreement (FFA). The deadline has been extended to November 22, 2006. This update was originally filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on November 15, 2006.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Management highlights several risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, including:
- 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.
- General economic conditions, raw material costs, and foreign exchange risks.
- Compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the status of the Final Funding Agreement (FFA) conditions precedent following the November 22, 2006 extension.
- Monitor updates regarding the Australian Tax Office amended assessment.
- Review the company's Form 20-F (filed September 29, 2006) for detailed risk factors related to asbestos liabilities.
- Confirm the status of credit facility renewals as mentioned in the forward-looking statements.