James Hardie is hopeful about its full-year outlook despite suffering a sharp fall in half-year profit.
The building products maker is forecasting a moderate improvement in the US for 2014/15.
It continues to predict a net operating profit of between $US205 million and $US235 million ($A221.80 million and $A254.26 million).
James Hardie has announced a net profit of $US156.1 million for the six months to September 30, marking a 20 per cent drop from the previous first half.
Chief executive Louis Gries said the company had short-term concerns about the US housing market.
“While the operating environment in both US and Australia has improved compared to the prior corresponding quarter, the recovery of the US housing market remains below our expectations at the beginning of the year,” he said in a statement.
Still, gross profit for the half year actually increased by 12 per cent to $US291.1 million, compared with 2013.
James Hardie said it continued to expect an improvement in the US in 2014/15, but at a more moderate level than earlier assumed for the financial year.
Australian net sales were expected to improve, as demand for detached housing grew.
