
Regional strength compensates for weakness in the Asian market
Sika AG, a company active in the specialty chemicals sector, achieved preliminary sales of CHF 11.2 billion in the 2025 financial year. In local currencies, this corresponds to growth of 0.6 per cent. In Swiss francs, negative currency effects (-5.4 per cent) resulted in a decline of 4.8 per

Long-term supply agreement strengthens global wind energy industry
Gurit Holding AG has signed a five-year supply contract with a manufacturer of wind turbines. The contract covers the supply of core kits featuring Gurit OptiCore technology and is expected to generate net sales of CHF 250 million for

Prices for detached houses and condominiums continue to rise
The Raiffeisen Transaction Price Index reports continued strong price momentum for single-family homes and condominiums. Prices for single-family homes rose by 0.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter, while condominiums cost 1.2 per cent more.


Expansion of Building Solutions through acquisitions in Western Europe
Building materials specialist Holcim has acquired French concrete component manufacturer Alkern. The acquisition strengthens Holcim's business in the Building Solutions segment and brings it closer to its goal of this segment accounting for around 50 per cent of net sales by

Winterthur introduces new guidelines for sustainable procurement
The city of Winterthur is changing its public procurement rules as of 1 July 2026. These rules are binding for all municipal departments for contracts worth CHF 50,000 or more and are intended to have a positive impact on the climate and the

New double-track line relieves congestion on the route between Zurich and Winterthur
SBB has commissioned Implenia and Marti to construct five of the six lots in the Zurich-Winterthur multi-track project. The contract is worth around CHF 1.7 billion. Construction work is expected to be completed in around ten

Gray Energy Steep Pass for Tenant Protection
The debate about a sustainable building stock is at a crossroads. While the construction of energy-efficient buildings, energy-efficient renovation and the use of low-emission energy sources are now standard practice, the opinion-forming process on grey energy is still in full swing. Grey energy is

Zurich strengthens energy transition with 60 million program
The canton of Zurich wants to further reduce emissions in the building sector. To this end, the cantonal government is applying for a new framework credit of CHF 60 million until 2029. Together with federal funds, up to CHF 286 million is available for energy promotion

Real estate market in a state of tension
In 2026, the Swiss real estate market will continue to be caught between interest rate reversals, political uncertainty and declining construction activity. While residential properties continue to increase in value, the commercial market is coming under pressure. The latest SIV market report shows

New investor focuses on continuity and long-term prospects
After almost 30 years at the helm of the Hotel Bernerhof Gstaad, Brigitte and Thomas Frei have transferred their majority stake to two new owners. Geneva-based RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP and Zug-based Holdingstone AG have handed over operational management to François Grohens.


Mega merger with a signal effect
Rio Tinto and Glencore are negotiating a potential mega merger that could create the world's largest mining and commodities group with a strong focus on copper. Rio Tinto must decide by February 5, 2026 at the latest whether a binding offer will be made. Whether the Zug-based group will actually be


Apartments are shrinking again
More and more people are living in less space. New-build apartments are becoming smaller for the first time in decades, while the living space per capita remains historically high. This trend is fundamentally changing planning, construction and energy policy and is turning space itself into a

Basel between regulation and reality
The mood in the Basel property world is tense, and rightly so. Anyone planning, redeveloping or investing in projects today feels the contradictions between political aspirations, economic reality and social expectations. Hardly any other economic region in Switzerland is currently as exemplary of

Digital brokerage platform expands offering in the skilled trades market
The SIREN GROUP from Freienbach and its HomeBuddy platform are becoming part of the online marketing company QuinStreet. The Californian online marketing company is paying a total of $190 million for SIREN's marketplace for connecting tradespeople with

Majority stake drives growth in the Peruvian market
Holcim has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Peruvian construction company Cementos Pacasmayo. The transaction, with a volume of USD 1.5 billion, is intended to strengthen Holcim's presence in Latin America and is a central component of the NextGen Growth 2030

Strategic takeover strengthens mortar business in Northern Europe
Sika, which is active in speciality chemicals, is acquiring Finja Betong AB, a Swedish mortar manufacturer. The transaction gives Sika a strong basis for expansion in Northern Europe, creates cross-selling potential and strengthens its production


Zug promotes sustainability and innovation
With the new law on location development and the associated ordinance, the canton of Zug is creating a powerful support system for sustainability and innovation from January 1, 2026. Up to CHF 150 million will be available annually until 2028, financed from the additional revenue from the OECD

Swiss economy between a damper and confidence
The KOF Business Situation Indicator from ETH Zurich shows a mixed picture in December 2025. While the current situation in the Swiss private sector has declined slightly, expectations for the coming six months are rising for the fourth time in a row. The prospect of mild growth in the new year

Fresh capital for data-based planning in the construction industry
The start-up vyzn, which specializes in digital and sustainable construction planning, has successfully completed its seed financing round with Swiss and Finnish partners. The team of three male and one female founder now wants to expand the portfolio and grow. Vyzn will launch in Germany at the


A new giant reorganizes the insurance market
The merger of Helvetia and Baloise has created a new insurance giant in Basel. Helvetia Baloise Holding AG will become the second-largest insurance group in Switzerland and the largest employer in the industry. Behind the sober formula "merger of equals" are strategic power shifts, opportunities

How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China
China is at a turning point. While electric cars, AI and green tech dominate the headlines, a deep-seated real estate crisis is eating away at the foundation of the economy. Major developers are faltering, provinces are groaning under debt, deflation is eating away at confidence and yet Beijing is

Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space
The National Bank's interest rate freeze, high valuations on the real estate markets and a global surge in investment in artificial intelligence will shape the investment year 2026. While Wüest Partner expects financing costs to remain low and price momentum to slow on the Swiss construction and

Strategisches Wachstumsprogramm setzt auf Digitalisierung und Effizienz
Das in der Spezialchemie angesiedelte Unternehmen Sika hat ein Fast-Forward-Programm für Wachstum und Stabilität vorgestellt. Vorgesehen sind einerseits Investitionen, zum Beispiel in die Digitalisierung, und andererseits Einsparungen in dreistelliger

