James Hardie(US:JHX) Newsfileยท2025-11-14 11:08Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against James Hardie Industries plc and certain senior executives for securities fraud following a significant stock drop attributed to potential violations of federal securities laws [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, titled Laborers' District Council and Contractors' Pension Fund of Ohio v. James Hardie Industries plc, et al., No. 1:25-cv-13018 [3]. - Investors have until December 23, 2025, to request to be appointed to lead the case [3]. Group 2: Company Background - James Hardie is a producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions, primarily used in external siding for the residential building industry in the U.S. and Canada [4]. Group 3: Allegations of Fraud - The complaint alleges that James Hardie misrepresented the strength and momentum of its North American fiber cement segment, claiming sustainable customer demand when, in fact, sales were driven by inventory loading by channel partners [5]. - The company stated on May 20, 2025, that it was experiencing "normal stock levels" and expected performance, which was later contradicted by actual sales data [5]. Group 4: Stock Performance Impact - On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a 12% decline in North American fiber cement sales, revealing that customers were destocking to return to normal inventory levels [6]. - Following this announcement, the stock price plummeted by $9.79 per share, a decrease of over 34%, from $28.43 to $18.64 per share within a day [6].