Gypsum industry news

Switzerland: On 15 January 2015, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) abandoned the Euro1.20 cap on the Swiss Franc, causing market turmoil. However, deals involving domestic companies Holcim and Sika are expected to survive the impact of the shock decision.

Bigger deals are insulated against the effects of the sudden surge in the value of the Swiss currency because the companies involved are able to to buy insurance to protect them against such moves. However, some bankers said that the volatility introduced by the SNB decision to scrap the cap after three years could dampen deal-making in the longer term.

France's Saint-Gobain, which is buying Sika in a Euro2.71bn (2.75bn Swiss Franc) deal and does most of its business in Euros, said that it had covered itself against exchange rate moves.

Sika was one of the companies caught up in a 10% all-in Swiss blue chip stocks on fears over the impact on their exporting power. Sika was down by 7.5% at one point.