Lead Plaintiff Deadline Set in James Hardie Inventory-Fraud Class Action

Overview

• A securities class action against James Hardie Industries plc is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, captioned Laborers' District Council and Contractors' Pension Fund of Ohio v. James Hardie Industries plc, No. 1:25-cv-13018.
• The complaint alleges executives downplayed April–May 2025 destocking while publicly describing demand as strong and inventory levels as normal during the May 20–21 period.
• On August 19, 2025, the company reported a 12% sales decline in North America Fiber Cement tied to destocking and warned of continued effects, prompting a share-price drop of more than 34% to $18.64 on August 20.
• Plaintiffs seek damages for alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 for investors who purchased between May 20 and August 18, 2025.
• Multiple investor-rights firms, including Rosen, Portnoy, Hagens Berman, Levi & Korsinsky, and Bleichmar Fonti & Auld, are soliciting class members ahead of the December 23, 2025 deadline to move for lead plaintiff.