James Hardie Under Investigation Post-AZEK Merger Amid 35% Stock Drop
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 13 2026
0mins
Should l Buy JHX?
Source: Globenewswire
- Stock Price Collapse: James Hardie reported a 12% sales decline in its North America Fiber Cement segment on August 19, 2025, leading to a nearly 35% drop in share price, indicating market concerns about the company's future performance.
- Post-Merger Investigation: Girard Sharp LLP has launched an investigation into James Hardie and its executives, focusing on potential misrepresentations or omissions regarding the strength of its North America Fiber Cement segment prior to the AZEK acquisition, which could undermine investor confidence.
- Investor Losses: The investigation aims to represent former AZEK shareholders seeking to recover losses incurred from the stock price collapse, highlighting the importance of legal actions in protecting investor rights.
- Legal Expertise: Girard Sharp LLP is renowned in the securities and class action litigation space, having secured a $36.5 million settlement previously, demonstrating its capability and experience in handling complex litigation matters.
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Analyst Views on JHX
Wall Street analysts forecast JHX stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 25.750
Low
21.00
Averages
24.50
High
30.00
Current: 25.750
Low
21.00
Averages
24.50
High
30.00
About JHX
James Hardie Industries plc is an Ireland-based company, which is engaged in providing exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, and composite and PVC decking and railing products. The Company's segments include North America Fiber Cement, Asia Pacific Fiber Cement and Europe Building Products. The Company's North America Fiber Cement segment manufactures fiber cement interior linings, exterior siding products and related accessories in the United States and these products are sold in the United States and Canada. The Company's Asia Pacific Fiber Cement segment includes fiber cement products manufactured in Australia and sold in Australia and New Zealand. Its Europe Building Products segment includes fiber gypsum products manufactured in Europe, and fiber cement products manufactured in the United States that are sold in Europe. The Company’s brands include Hardie, TimberTech, AZEK Exteriors, Versatex, fermacell and StruXure.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Earnings Beat: James Hardie's Q3 non-GAAP EPS of $0.24 exceeded expectations by $0.02, indicating strong profitability despite the revenue miss, showcasing the company's resilience in a challenging market.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company reported $1.2 billion in revenue for Q3, reflecting a 33.3% year-over-year increase, although it fell short of expectations by $10 million, highlighting the need to ensure sustainable growth amidst strong market demand.
- EBITDA Guidance Raised: James Hardie has raised its FY '26 EBITDA guidance to between $1.2 billion and $1.25 billion, demonstrating successful cost and revenue synergies from integration efforts, which bodes well for future profitability.
- Positive Market Reaction: Despite the slight revenue miss, the market reacted positively to James Hardie's earnings report, indicating investor confidence in the company's growth potential, particularly in the context of the housing cycle.
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- Strong Sales Performance: James Hardie reported net sales of $1.2 billion in Q3 FY26, reflecting a 30% year-over-year increase, with organic net sales up 1%, indicating robust market performance and stable customer demand.
- Profitability Improvement: Operating income stood at $176 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached $330 million, showing a 26% year-over-year increase despite a 15% decline in operating income, highlighting effective cost control and pricing strategies.
- Diverse Product Line Performance: The Siding & Trim segment saw a 10% increase in net sales, although organic sales dipped 2%, reflecting market demand fluctuations; meanwhile, Deck, Rail & Accessories net sales rose 2%, showcasing success in new product launches and channel expansion.
- Integration and Synergies: The company has exceeded its integration goals with AZEK, anticipating $125 million in cost synergies, which further enhances its competitive position and growth potential in the market.
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- Investigation Launched: Girard Sharp LLP has initiated an investigation into James Hardie and select executives regarding potential securities law violations following a significant stock decline, indicating potential impacts on investors.
- Stock Price Collapse: On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a 12% sales decline in its North America Fiber Cement segment, leading to a nearly 35% drop in share price, raising concerns about possible misrepresentations prior to the merger.
- Investor Representation: Girard Sharp is seeking to represent former AZEK investors who suffered losses, emphasizing their commitment to protecting investor rights and pursuing recovery for affected parties.
- Legal Implications: The investigation not only addresses James Hardie's financial performance but also poses risks to its future market reputation and investor confidence, highlighting potential issues with transparency and compliance.
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- Earnings Release Schedule: James Hardie is set to announce its Q3 FY2026 financial results after U.S. market close on February 10 and before the Australian market opens on February 11, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Discussion: Following the earnings release, a conference call will be hosted by CEO Aaron Erter and CFO Ryan Lada, aimed at providing an in-depth analysis of the financial results and engaging with investors to bolster confidence.
- Global Market Presence: James Hardie markets its exterior home and outdoor living solutions across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with a product portfolio that includes fiber cement and PVC decking, showcasing its strong competitive position in the global market.
- Brand Influence: The company boasts several well-known brands, such as Hardie® and TimberTech®, which are recognized for their beauty, durability, and climate resilience, further solidifying its leadership in the building materials industry.
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