If you wanted to understand the difference between Australians and Americans, the analyst call held to discuss James Hardie’s $US8.75 billion ($14 billion) acquisition of New York-listed Azek, which makes alternatives to timber decking, was a pretty good place to start.

Despite being dragged to a conference call on a Sunday evening, the US analysts came across as chipper and broadly supportive of a deal that crystallises an impressive five-year run for Azek. The company listed in June 2020 at $US23 a share and is being taken out by James Hardie at $US56.88 after delivering solid revenue growth and margin expansion.