Inventory Fraud Allegations: James Hardie executives are accused of misleading investors by claiming “robust” and “normal” inventory levels while allegedly aware of aggressive destocking by channel partners as early as April 2025, which misled investors about the company's true financial health.
Stock Price Impact: Following the revelation of this alleged fraud on August 20, 2025, the company's stock plummeted by 34%, indicating severe market concerns regarding its financial stability and operational transparency.
Executive Resignation Consequences: The abrupt resignation of CFO Rachel Wilson on November 17, 2025, highlights a crisis of trust in the company's financial management and transparency, which could further erode investor confidence and affect stock performance.
Legal Action Progress: Hagens Berman is investigating the claims and urges investors who purchased James Hardie stock between May 20 and August 18, 2025, and suffered significant losses, to reach out to discuss legal options and potential lead plaintiff status.
JHX
$20.25+Infinity%1D
Analyst Views on JHX
Wall Street analysts forecast JHX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for JHX is 25.19 USD with a low forecast of 21.00 USD and a high forecast of 30.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast JHX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for JHX is 25.19 USD with a low forecast of 21.00 USD and a high forecast of 30.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 20.280
Low
21.00
Averages
25.19
High
30.00
Current: 20.280
Low
21.00
Averages
25.19
High
30.00
Barclays
Equal Weight
initiated
$21
2025-12-08
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$21
2025-12-08
initiated
Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays initiated coverage of James Hardie with an Equal Weight rating and $21 price target. The firm says the premium siding category is "uniquely attractive" with long-term material conversion driving outgrowth. It prefers P Building Solutions on a relative basis.
Vertical Research
Adam Baumgarten
Hold
to
Buy
upgrade
$21
2025-11-19
Reason
Vertical Research
Adam Baumgarten
Price Target
$21
2025-11-19
upgrade
Hold
to
Buy
Reason
Vertical Research analyst Adam Baumgarten upgraded James Hardie to Buy from Hold with a $21 price target.
Baird
Outperform
downgrade
$28 -> $26
2025-11-19
Reason
Baird
Price Target
$28 -> $26
2025-11-19
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
Baird lowered the firm's price target on James Hardie to $26 from $28 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following Q2 results and noted its outlook is a step in the right direction.
Citi
Neutral -> Buy
upgrade
$33
2025-11-04
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$33
2025-11-04
upgrade
Neutral -> Buy
Reason
Citi upgraded James Hardie to Buy from Neutral with a price target of A$36.50, up from A$33. The firm sees an attractive risk/reward at current share levels as it believes the company is on pace to beat fiscal 2026 expectations. Citi views James Hardie's risks as manageable and is "cautiously optimistic" on the housing market.
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.
