James Hardie(US:JHX) Globenewswireยท2025-09-22 11:09Core Viewpoint - James Hardie Industries plc is under investigation for potential violations of federal securities laws, following a significant decline in its stock price due to misleading statements about its North American sales performance [1][4]. Company Overview - James Hardie is a producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, primarily used in external siding for the residential building industry in the United States and Canada [2]. Sales Performance and Misleading Statements - The company previously claimed that its "fast[]-growing customers" were a key aspect of its competitive positioning and that its North American business results demonstrated inherent strength [3]. - However, it appears that the North American sales growth was driven by temporary inventory loading by channel partners rather than sustainable customer demand [3]. Financial Results and Stock Impact - On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a 12% decline in North American net sales for fiscal Q1 2026, attributing this to lower volumes as customers adjusted inventory levels [4]. - Following this announcement, the stock price plummeted by $9.79 per share, a decrease of over 34%, from $28.43 to $18.64 [4].