Fund managers including L1 Capital, Ten Cap, Bennelong Australian Equity Partners, Blackwattle Investment Partners, Greencape Capital, Oracle Advisory Group, Equity Trustees Asset Management, Airlie Funds Management, QVG Capital, Wilson Asset Management, First Sentier Investors, ECP Asset Management, Selector Funds Management, Infinity Asset Management, Seneca Financial Solutions, Pendal Group, Antares Capital, DS Capital, Kardinia Capital, Yarra Capital Management, Perennial Partners, Atlas Funds Management, Elston Asset Management, Hyperion Asset Management, Perpetual Asset Management, Plato Investment Management, Vinva Investment Management, Allan Gray, Pengana Capital Group, Investors Mutual Limited and First Samuel have invested in James Hardie Industries plc (ASX:JHX).

Managers point to continued market share gains in North American fibre cement, revenue synergies and new distribution relationships from the AZEK acquisition, and restocking driving strong siding and trim growth even in a soft US housing market. Wilson Asset Management sees James Hardie as a quality business with company-specific earnings drivers that can benefit as investors broaden beyond crowded AI stocks, while the sale of European operations sharpens focus on core growth markets.

Investors Mutual cautions that repair and remodel demand, the bulk of the business, is constrained by high US home equity borrowing costs until interest rates fall. Pendal noted lower long-term sales growth targets from the US investor day and debate over free cash flow guidance, while Perennial trimmed the stock after a strong rally, pointing to valuation risk.

James Hardie Industries Plc, established in 1888 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, provides fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions. The company operates through four segments: North America Fiber Cement, Asia Pacific Fiber Cement, Europe Building Products, and Research and Development. Its portfolio includes interior linings, exterior siding, and related accessories sold across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The Research and Development segment manages global innovation centers. James Hardie focuses on high-performance building materials for residential and commercial construction markets worldwide.