Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K is a report of a foreign private issuer filed by James Hardie Industries N.V. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The report is dated May 31, 2005. The registrant is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and files annual reports on Form 20-F.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. This document serves as a cover sheet and index for exhibits rather than a financial results report.
Material Changes
The filing does not disclose material changes in financial performance or operations compared to prior periods. The primary content relates to the submission of specific corporate governance documents.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
Forward-Looking Statements: The filing includes a Safe Harbor Statement noting that exhibits contain forward-looking statements regarding operating results, plans, objectives, and economic performance. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
Key Risks Identified:
- Liabilities arising from the prior manufacture of asbestos by ABN 60 and former subsidiaries.
- Competition and product pricing in operating markets.
- General economic and market conditions.
- Compliance with environmental and health and safety laws.
- 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.
Exhibits Filed: The report includes four exhibits (99.1 through 99.4), all of which are Appendix 3B filings regarding the exercise of options submitted to the Australian Stock Exchange on May 19, May 25, and May 26, 2005.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the details of the option exercises referenced in Exhibits 99.1 through 99.4 filed with the Australian Stock Exchange.
- Review the full text of the Safe Harbor Statement to understand the specific forward-looking projections attached to this filing.
- Consult the most recent Form 20-F or quarterly reports for actual financial performance data, as this Form 6-K does not contain financial statements.
- Monitor ongoing developments regarding asbestos-related liabilities and legal proceedings as highlighted in the risk factors.