Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (a foreign private issuer) was submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2004. The registrant is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and files annual reports on Form 20-F. This specific filing serves to distribute information previously filed with the Australian Stock Exchange regarding the exercise of employee options.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. The document consists solely of a cover page, a safe harbor statement, an exhibit index, and signatures. It does not contain a financial results summary or an income statement.
Material Changes
No material changes to financial performance or operations are reported in this document. The filing is procedural, intended to disclose the exercise of options on December 6, 9, and 15, 2004, as detailed in the attached exhibits (Appendix 3B).
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing 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, product pricing, and general economic conditions.
- Compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws.
- The successful transition of new senior management.
- Supply and cost of raw materials and reliance on a small number of distributors.
- Product failures, defects, and exposure to legal proceedings.
- International business risks, tax law changes, and foreign exchange risks.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the specific number of options exercised and the associated financial impact by reviewing the attached Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, and 99.3 (Appendix 3B filings with the Australian Stock Exchange), as these details are not in the main text.
- Confirm the company's current status regarding asbestos-related liabilities and legal proceedings, as this is highlighted as a primary risk factor.
- Review the most recent Form 20-F or quarterly reports for actual financial performance metrics, as this Form 6-K does not contain them.