UBS(US:UBS)2025-07-30 08:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total group profit before tax in Q2 2025 was $2.7 billion, a 30% increase compared to the same period last year, with core businesses growing their combined pretax profits by 25% [19] - Group revenues increased by 4% to $11.5 billion, with an 8% increase across core franchises, while operating expenses decreased by 3% to $8.7 billion [20] - Reported EPS was $0.72, with a return on CET1 capital of 15.3% and a cost income ratio of 75.4% [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global Wealth Management (GWM) pretax profit was $1.4 billion, up 24%, with revenue growth outpacing expenses by five percentage points [27] - Investment Bank delivered a profit before tax of $526 million, up 28%, with revenues increasing by 13% to $2.8 billion, driven by global markets [40] - Asset Management profit before tax was $216 million, down 5% year on year, but up 8% excluding a prior year gain [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Invested assets reached $6.6 trillion, with strong client activity across all regions [5] - In The Americas, GWM profit growth was 48%, while EMEA saw a 30% increase in profit before tax [28] - APAC profits grew by 12%, supported by sustained sales momentum across net new assets, mandates, and deposits [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to complete the integration of Credit Suisse by 2026, with significant progress made in migrating client accounts [9] - Continued investment in The Americas and leveraging its position as the number one wealth manager in APAC are key strategic focuses [11] - The company is committed to enhancing client service through investments in infrastructure and AI [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing market uncertainties affecting client execution of strategic plans, but expressed optimism about capital deployment once macroeconomic conditions stabilize [8] - The company expects to maintain a CET1 capital ratio of around 15% and a cost income ratio of less than 70% by 2026 [17] - Management highlighted the importance of regulatory developments in Switzerland and their potential impact on the business model [12] Other Important Information - The company recorded a litigation reserve net release of $427 million related to Credit Suisse's legacy US cross-border business [20] - The CET1 capital ratio was 14.4%, with a strong capital position allowing for a double-digit increase in dividends and share buyback plans [10] - The company has reduced its non-core risk-weighted assets by over 80% since 2023, freeing up significant capital [46] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on the remaining $8 billion accrual at UBS AG - Management indicated that the expectation is for the $8 billion accrual to be upstreamed, with a target equity double leverage ratio of around 100% by the end of the year [50][51] Question: Update on Wealth Management in the US and adviser incentives - Management confirmed progress in improving the pretax margin in Wealth Management, with a focus on technology investment and adviser retention strategies [51][52] Question: Clarification on output floor and RWAs - Management acknowledged ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the output floor on RWAs, emphasizing that it is too early to predict the outcomes [58] Question: Expectations regarding capital proposals and legislative clarity - Management stated that clarity on capital proposals is uncertain, and they will not engage in mitigation strategies until the final rules are known [62][70] Question: Client behavior in Asia and revenue softness - Management noted strong flows in Asia but acknowledged softer revenues, indicating a need to understand client behavior in the current environment [80]