UBS AG
Screenreader-optimized Version for visually impaired and blind visitors Home | Accessibility | Zoom version | Local Sitemap | Service Finder | Search
   
Quarterly Reporting  
     
At a Glance
Financial Businesses
Industrial Holdings
Capital Management
Financial Information
Contacts
 

Notes (unaudited)
Notes (unaudited)

Note 1 Basis of Preparation
Note 1 Basis of Preparation

In preparing this interim financial information, the same accounting principles and methods of computation are applied as in the IFRS Group Financial Statements on 31 December 2006 and for the year then ended except for the changes set out below and in Note 1 to the First, Second and Third Quarter Financial Statements 2007. The interim financial information presented in this report is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited Financial Statements included in the UBS Financial Report 2006. This report does not meet the requirements of interim financial statements per IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, as it does not include a balance sheet, a statement of changes in equity, and a statement of cash flows.

Positions related to the US sub-prime residential mortgage market

Where possible, holdings are marked at the quoted market price in an active market. In the current market environment, such price information is typically not available for instruments linked to the US sub-prime residential mortgage market, and UBS applies valuation techniques to measure such instruments. Valuation techniques use "market observable inputs" , where available, derived from similar assets in similar and active markets, from recent transaction prices for comparable items or from other observable market data. For positions where observable reference data is not available, UBS uses valuation models with non-market observable inputs.

For the year ended 31 December 2007, UBS used valuation models primarily for super senior RMBS CDO tranches referenced to sub-prime RMBSs. The model used to value these positions projects losses on the underlying mortgage pools and applies the implications of these projected lifetime losses through to the RMBS securities and then to the CDO structure. The primary inputs to the model are monthly remittance data that describe the current performance of the underlying mortgage pools. These are received near the end of each month and relate to the preceding month's cash flows on the mortgages underlying the relevant mortgage-backed securities. Since this valuation model was adopted in third quarter 2007, UBS has sought to calibrate the model-to-market information and to review the assumptions of the model on a regular basis. In fourth quarter 2007, UBS calibrated its loss projection estimates to ensure the super senior RMBS CDO valuation model would value relevant market indices (for example, ABX indices) consistently with their observed levels in the market. Despite the various limitations in the comparability of these indices to UBS's own positions, it was felt that adopting this approach would be best in view of the further deterioration in liquidity and resultant lack of observed transactions to which the model could be calibrated.

The valuation model also considers the impact of variability in projected lifetime loss levels and applies a discount rate for expected cash flows derived from relevant market index prices (for example, ABX indices). The external ratings of the RMBSs underlying the CDO tranches or the CDO tranches themselves are inputs to the valuation model only to the extent that they impact the timing of potential "events of default". The valuation model incorporates the potential timing and impact of such default events based on an analysis of the contractual rights of various parties to the transaction and the estimated performance of the underlying collateral. However, there is no single market standard for valuation models in this area and such models have inherent limitations, and different assumptions and inputs would generate different results.

The super senior RMBS CDO valuation model is used to value transactions where UBS is net long the super senior RMBS CDO exposure and transactions where UBS holds a gross long position hedged one-to-one with an offsetting short position provided by a monoline insurer. The valuation model therefore provides an estimate of the current credit exposure to monoline insurers via such transactions. The fair value of these positions also takes counterparty credit risk of the monoline insurers into account. Where valuation techniques based on observable inputs are used to value RMBS long positions, a consistent approach is used to value related hedge positions with monoline insurers.

Adverse fair value changes of instruments related to the US sub-prime and Alt-A residential mortgage market are reflected in Net trading income. The related trading positions are recognized on UBS's balance sheet as Trading portfolio instruments as well as Positive and Negative replacement values.

Syndicated finance revenues

In fourth quarter 2007, UBS revised the presentation of certain syndicated finance revenues in its income statement. Revenues which relate to syndicated loan commitments designated at fair value through profit or loss are now presented in Net trading income rather than as debt underwriting fees in Net fee and commission income. Prior periods have been adjusted to conform to this presentation. The adjustments resulted in a reduction of Net fee and commission income of CHF 67 million and CHF 119 million for third quarter 2007 and fourth quarter 2006 respectively and a corresponding increase in Net trading income in these periods. The change in presentation had no impact on UBS's Net profit and Earnings per share for all periods presented.

Important legal information - please read the disclaimer before proceeding.

Products and services in these webpages are not available for US persons, for the exclusion of residents of other nations see the disclaimers relating to the actual services.

© UBS 1998-2008. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy

 
Search only in
Q4 2007 
Search
Create your own report 
Create your own report

Create your own report by searching and selecting articles of our Quarterly Report.