Swiss chemical maker Sika's half-year sales fall, miss analyst estimate
The company, which makes products used to strengthen and waterproof walls and floors, said its sales fell 2.7% to 5.68 billion Swiss francs ($7.08 billion) in the six months to June 30.
Analysts had forecast 5.72 billion francs, according to a consensus compiled by Vara.
The company largely attributed the downturn to translation effects of the weaker dollar, which trimmed the revenue from Sika's biggest market - the United States - when converted into Swiss francs.
In local currencies, which takes out the impact of currency fluctuations, Sika's sales grew 1.6%, driven by organic growth and a boost from acquisitions.
The company's core operating profit (EBITDA) fell to 1.07 billion Swiss francs, missing analysts' forecast of 1.09 billion francs.
Sika's results give insight into the health of the broader construction industry, with its chemical additives being used in infrastructure projects such as the Daimer Basha dam in Pakistan and the Gordie Howe International Bridge between the U.S. and Canada.
"Sika is therefore largely unaffected by trade tariffs and can reliably supply its customers, even in challenging market conditions," the company said.
For the full 2025 business year, Sika expects a modest sales increase in local currencies and continues to expect an over-proportional increase in EBITDA and an EBITDA margin of between 19.5% and 19.8%.
($1 = 0.8026 Swiss francs)
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