Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (James Hardie) covers the month of September 2006, with the report dated September 8, 2006. The registrant is a foreign private issuer headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and files annual reports on Form 20-F. The filing primarily serves to disclose an event regarding the exercise of options filed with the Australian Stock Exchange.
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 filing referencing an external exhibit rather than a financial results report.
Material Changes
No material financial changes versus prior periods are detailed in this text. The filing references the exercise of options (Exhibit 99.1) but does not quantify the financial impact or compare it to previous periods.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Management highlights several key areas of uncertainty and risk that could cause actual results to differ from expectations:
- Asbestos Liabilities: Expectations regarding the Final Funding Agreement and payments to a special purpose fund for asbestos-related personal injury and death claims.
- Tax Matters: Expectations concerning an amended assessment by the Australian Tax Office.
- Financing: Expectations that credit facilities will be extended or renewed.
- Operational Risks: Competition, product pricing, raw material costs, product failures, and environmental liabilities.
- Regulatory and Compliance: Risks related to international business operations, foreign exchange, and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the details of the option exercise referenced in Exhibit 99.1 (Appendix 3B) filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on September 6, 2006.
- Review the status of the Final Funding Agreement and the special purpose fund for asbestos claims.
- Monitor developments regarding the Australian Tax Office amended assessment.
- Check for updates on the extension or renewal of the company's credit facilities.