James Hardie says its underlying earnings for the September quarter have again been affected by the weakness in the US housing market.

Net operating profit came in at just over $36 million, down by a quarter compared to a year ago.

I was about to write an ironic, 'oh dear, what a shame,' then I went on to read:

Bottom line profit for the six months to September was almost $155 million, nearly triple last year's earnings for the same period. Apparently the company's earnings were boosted by the lower Australian dollar which had a favorable impact on the company's asbestos compensation payments.

Once again, 'oh dear, what a shame,' but this time with no irony at all.

ABC