Sigma suspends trading amid Chemist Warehouse talks

The news: Sigma Healthcare has suspended trading of its shares pending an announcement relating to a "potential material transaction", which is understood to relate to a potential deal to reverse list Chemist Warehouse on the ASX.

The numbers: Sigma had previously requested a trading halt in respect of its ordinary shares on 6 December. In its latest statement, the company said it expects the voluntary suspension to remain in place until the earlier of an announcement about the deal, or the commencement of trading on 11 December.

Sigma entered into a $3 billion supply deal with Chemist Warehouse in August, and was this week reported to be raising $350 million through Goldman Sachs to support the reverse listing of the privately owned pharmacy company.

The context: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, which appeared to be caught off guard by the reverse merger, released a statement on Thursday stating it believes the deal poses "significant questions and risks" relating to patient care, community pharmacy ownership, competition, and the future of CSO wholesaling.