UBS
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UBS posts strong Q4 profits, announces $3bn share buyback

Must navigate potential regulatory changes as it moves forward

Swiss banking giant UBS has reported a fourth-quarter net profit of $770 million, significantly exceeding analyst forecasts of $483 million. This strong financial performance was driven by a 7% increase in total revenue, reaching $11.6 billion. Investment Bank underlying revenues were up 37% YoY with strong growth in Global Banking and Global Markets leading to market share gains in areas of strategic investments.

UBS Group finished the year with 14.3% CET1 capital ratio and 4.7% CET1 leverage ratio.

UBS also announced a share buyback program of up to $3 billion for 2025. The bank plans to repurchase $1 billion worth of shares in the first half of the year and up to $2 billion in the second half but this target is subject to the lender achieving its “financial targets and the absence of material and immediate changes to the current capital regime in Switzerland.”

The banking group further proposed dividend payout of $0.90 per share for the 2024 financial year, an increase of 29% YoY in line with its intention to calibrate the proportion of cash dividends and share repurchases.

After weathering the storm of a turbulent government-backed tie-up with fallen domestic rival Credit Suisse in 2023, UBS said it was on track with its 2024 integration milestones and delivered an additional $700 million in gross cost savings in the fourth quarter.

Sergio P. Ermotti, UBS Group CEO (Credit: UBS)

“Our strong full-year performance reflects our unwavering commitment to serving our clients, the strength of our diversified global franchise and the progress we have made on the integration. Throughout 2024, we maintained robust momentum as we captured growth in Global Wealth and Asset Management and gained market share in the Investment Bank in the areas where we have made strategic investments. With over 70 billion Swiss francs of loans granted or renewed, we continued to be a reliable partner for the Swiss economy” Sergio P. Ermotti, Group CEO said in a statement.

UBS’s Q4 performance reflects strong profitability driven by its wealth management business, as well as a well-executed acquisition strategy with Credit Suisse. Reiterating its commitment to shareholder returns, the Swiss banking giant has committed to a 10% dividend per share increase for 2025.


Year founded: 1998 Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland Employees: 115,038