James Hardie raises annual earnings forecast, posts 54% jump in quarterly profit

For the three months ended June 30, James Hardie's adjusted net income surged to $209.3 million, from $136.1 million a year ago.

First-quarter net sales in the Siding & Trim segment rose 34% to $859.8 million, driven by contributions from AZEK's exteriors business and a 20% organic increase as North American fiber cement returned to volume growth.

James Hardie completed the $8.75 billion acquisition of U.S.-based decking and exteriors company AZEK in 2025, and contributions from the business were not reflected in the prior-year first quarter.

Aug. 7 (Reuters) - James Hardie JHX.AX raised its annual earnings forecast on Friday, citing synergy gains from its acquisition of AZEK, manufacturing efficiencies and strong execution across its businesses, and reported a 54% jump in first-quarter profit.

The company's Siding & Trim business, which includes its legacy North American fiber cement business, remained under pressure throughout last year as affordability constraints in the U.S. slowed new construction activity and left distributor inventories elevated.

The company, among the world's top fiber cement makers, now expects 2027 net sales of $5.56 billion to $5.72 billion, up from its previous forecast of $5.25 billion to $5.41 billion.

It also raised its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization forecast for the year to a range of $1.54 billion to $1.63 billion, from its previous projection of $1.45 billion to $1.50 billion.

CFO Ryan Lada said the guidance raise was supported by synergy realization, manufacturing cost improvements and the company's enhanced go-to-market strategy, rather than a recovery in the underlying housing market.