Core Viewpoint - James Hardie Industries plc is under investigation for potential violations of federal securities laws, with concerns regarding the sustainability of its North American sales growth [1][3]. 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 U.S. and Canada [2]. Sales Performance - The company claimed that its "fast[]-growing customers" were a key aspect of its competitive positioning, asserting strong North American business results [3]. - However, it appears that North American sales may have been artificially inflated due to temporary inventory loading by channel partners rather than genuine 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 customers returning to normal 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].