Sika cheers equity-linked with Sfr1.65bn CB

(c)ALEXANDRA PAULI

Swiss speciality chemicals firm Sika turned to the equity-linked market this week to raise Sfr1.65bn. The trade was just what investors in the asset class have been crying out for in Europe, but it also served as a nifty corporate financing solution — funding the settlement of a four year long hostile takeover battle with French rival Saint-Gobain.