Core Viewpoint - James Hardie Industries' shares fell by 15.8% following the announcement of its agreement to combine with Azek, raising questions about the justification for the decline [1] Group 1: Deal Overview - James Hardie is acquiring Azek for a total transaction value of $8.75 billion, combining shares and cash, with James Hardie shareholders owning 74% and Azek shareholders 26% of the combined company [2] - Azek's 2025 guidance projects sales of $1.535 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $411 million, indicating high valuations for the $8.75 billion deal [2] Group 2: Strategic Rationale - Management anticipates generating $350 million in EBITDA synergies from the merger, representing 5.9% of combined sales, which is considered a strong target [3] - The acquisition enhances James Hardie's revenue share from the less cyclical repair and remodel market and increases its North American housing exposure from 74% to 81% [3][4] Group 3: Market Context - The deal occurs amid high interest rates, which have not decreased as expected, leading to negative sentiment regarding the acquisition in a challenged industry [5] - Historical trends suggest that interest rates may eventually decline, potentially making the acquisition a strategic opportunity in the long run [5]