The James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) share price is in focus after the company’s preliminary first quarter FY27 results showed net sales and adjusted EBITDA surpassing previous company guidance, thanks to robust demand in Siding & Trim.

What did James Hardie report?

• Preliminary consolidated net sales: US$1.449 to $1.475 billion (above prior guidance of $1.315 to $1.354 billion)
• Preliminary consolidated adjusted EBITDA: US$399 to $407 million (up from guidance of $354 to $375 million)
• Preliminary consolidated GAAP net income: US$102 to $104 million
• Siding & Trim net sales: US$846 to $860 million (guidance was $758 to $781 million)
• Deck, Rail & Accessories (DR&A) net sales: US$296 to $305 million

What else do investors need to know?

This update is preliminary, with final results due after the market close on 6 August 2026 (US time). James Hardie credits strong sell-through and demand for Siding & Trim for the result, while Deck, Rail & Accessories performance improved due to channel inventory normalisation.

The company highlighted that its above-guidance performance was driven by execution and market share gains, rather than any marked improvement in the broader US housing market. Details including full-year guidance and further financial information will be provided at the upcoming earnings call.

What did James Hardie management say?

CEO Aaron Erter said:

Our first quarter results are expected to exceed our prior guidance, primarily as a result of better-than-expected sales in Siding & Trim. Siding & Trim net sales reflected strong sell-through and underlying demand for our products. Our performance in Deck, Rail & Accessories was driven by channel inventory normalization and sell-through that improved throughout the quarter.

What’s next for James Hardie?

Management will release the finalised first quarter results and an updated FY27 outlook in early August. Investors will be watching for further market insights and any updates to strategy or guidance at the earnings call.

James Hardie continues to focus on growing its fibre cement and decking businesses, as well as leveraging cost and sales synergies from the recent AZEK acquisition.

James Hardie share price snapshot

The James Hardie share price has struggled over the last 12 months. It is down around 17% over the period, compared to a modest 1% gain by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post James Hardie posts strong Q1 FY27 earnings above guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Experts say these ASX 200 shares have great potential
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, Adairs, Minerals 260 shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Do you have $30,000 to invest but don’t want to choose individual shares?

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be a simple solution.

With three well-chosen Vanguard ETFs, investors can gain exposure to major economies, industries, and long-term growth trends.

Here is how I would invest the money.

Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500)

I would place the largest allocation into this Vanguard ETF, which tracks the S&P 500.

The US share market has repeatedly produced companies capable of turning domestic success into global scale. Its leading businesses sell software, medicines, financial services, consumer products, industrial equipment, and digital advertising around the world.

The V500 ETF gives investors access to that breadth through a single ASX investment.

I also like how the S&P 500 changes as the economy develops. Companies that keep growing can become more influential within the index, while fading businesses gradually lose weight or leave altogether.

That makes the ETF more adaptable than a portfolio built around a fixed collection of today’s popular stocks.

The US market can still experience sharp falls, and Australian investors will also be exposed to currency movements. With a long holding period, I think the V500 ETF could form a strong foundation for the $30,000 investment.

Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The next fund would give the portfolio a different source of growth.

The VAE ETF invests across Asian economies outside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Its underlying companies are connected to areas such as semiconductors, banking, insurance, manufacturing, online commerce, communication services, and consumer spending.

I like Asia because the region’s investment story extends well beyond a single country or trend.

Rising incomes can create demand for better housing, healthcare, financial products, travel, and branded goods. At the same time, several Asian markets occupy important positions across global manufacturing and technology supply chains.

That combination could support many years of business growth.

This fund will probably deliver a less comfortable journey than a broad developed-market ETF. Political decisions, regulation, currency movements, and changing investor confidence can all create volatility.

I would accept those swings in return for exposure to companies and economies that are still developing at a rapid pace.

Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF (ASX: VTEK)

The final allocation would add a deliberate technology exposure.

The VTEK ETF invests in large and mid-sized technology companies across developed and emerging markets.

I think the long-term case rests on where businesses continue directing their budgets. Companies want faster computing, better cybersecurity, more automation, improved data analysis, and software that helps employees accomplish more.

Artificial intelligence could accelerate that spending, while demand for semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, and digital tools may continue growing alongside it.

There will be some overlap with the V500 ETF because several US technology leaders feature prominently in the S&P 500. I would be comfortable with that because this allocation is intended to place extra weight on an area where I see attractive long-term growth.

Technology shares can also become expensive and fall sharply when expectations change, which is why I would make this Vanguard ETF the smallest holding.

Foolish takeaway

I would place most of the $30,000 into broad US and Asian exposure, with a smaller technology position adding greater growth potential.

I expect the portfolio to move around as markets, currencies, and sentiment change. The real advantage comes from owning thousands of business activities across regions that could keep expanding for decades.

For investors who prefer backing long-term economic growth over choosing individual winners, I think these three Vanguard ETFs offer a great way to put $30,000 to work.

The post 3 Vanguard ETFs to buy with $30,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? It’s dividend payday!
• The best Vanguard ETFs to buy and hold
• Why I think these Vanguard ETFs are strong buys
• 3 Vanguard ETFs to build long-term wealth
• Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? Here is your next dividend

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Tourism Holdings Ltd (ASX: THL) share price is in focus today after it lifted its expected FY26 underlying net profit after tax to around $46 million, beating its May forecast. The company also reported a stronger year-end net debt position than anticipated.

What did Tourism Holdings report?

• FY26 underlying net profit after tax (uNPAT) from continuing operations now expected to be ~$46 million (up from previous guidance of $40–$43 million)
• Net debt at 30 June 2026 was $436 million (below previous forecast of $460–$470 million)
• Normalised net debt averaged $453 million over the last month of FY26
• Strong late booking trends and robust vehicle sales in New Zealand drove the improved result

What else do investors need to know?

Tourism Holdings noted favourable year-end interest outcomes and better-than-expected vehicle sales contributed to the upgraded profit forecast. The company also highlighted strong booking momentum across all key regions.

Notably, North America bookings are tracking well ahead of last year, with recent US bookings more than 50% higher. Australia and New Zealand forward bookings have also bounced back after earlier disruptions linked to Middle East geopolitical events.

Tourism Holdings will release its full audited FY26 results and Integrated Report on 25 August 2026.

What’s next for Tourism Holdings?

Management says forward booking trends remain positive, especially in North America where growth rates are strong. With Australia and New Zealand recovering from recent disruptions, Tourism Holdings is increasingly confident about the FY27 Southern Hemisphere summer.

The company sees improved opportunities for growth in both Australia and New Zealand. Investors will be watching the August results for further detail on strategy and outlook.

Tourism Holdings share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Tourism Holdings shares have risen 23%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the sam period.

View Original Announcement

The post Tourism Holdings ups FY26 guidance as bookings surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• James Hardie posts strong Q1 FY27 earnings above guidance
• 3 Vanguard ETFs to buy with $30,000
• Macquarie Group announces new CEO as Shemara Wikramanayake prepares to retire
• Is it a good idea to invest in the NDQ ETF?
• Genesis Energy Q4: Margin lifts as single brand shift nears finish

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.