Australia's James Hardie to pay special div on Q3 profit rise

SYDNEY, Feb 28 (Reuters) - James Hardie Industries Plc

, the world's biggest fibre cement company, said on Friday it would pay a special dividend to investors as it booked a 64 percent rise in third-quarter profit thanks to higher sales volumes and prices globally.

Dual Australia and U.S.-listed James Hardie said net operating profit of $43.7 million for the three months to December 31 compared with $26.7 million the previous year.

Net operating profit excludes charges for asbestos liability, asset impairments and regulatory charges.

(Reporting by Byron Kaye)

((byron.kaye@thomsonreuters.com)(+612 9373 1815))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA JAMESHARDIE/EARNINGS