James Hardie slashes earnings guidance

THE continued depression in the US housing market has forced building materials manufacturer James Hardie to slash its full-year earnings guidance after reporting a 30 per cent fall in third-quarter operating profit.

Boral gets big on rebuilding

BUILDING materials supplier Boral says its full-year profit will increase by more than 20 per cent after a strong first-half result and an anticipated surge in demand due to rebuilding efforts in Queensland.