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Annual reporting 2008 (restated May 20, 2009)  
Strategy, perf. & resp. Divisions & Corp. Center Risk & treasury mgmt. Corp. gov. & comp. Fin. information Review
     
2008 report
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Financial performance
Financial performance

UBS results 2008

For full-year 2008, UBS recorded a net loss attributable to shareholders of CHF 20,887 million. The result was primarily driven by losses on risk positions in the Investment Bank. Wealth and asset management businesses remained profitable despite very difficult market conditions.

Operating expenses declined to CHF 28,555 million in 2008, a 19% decrease from the previous year. Personnel expenses decreased 36% from 2007, driven by significantly lower performance-related compensation.

Key factors affecting UBS’s financial position and results of operations in 2008

  • Negative Investment Bank revenues driven by trading losses on risk positions.

  • Credit losses due to a deteriorating economic environment and impairment charges.

  • A positive accounting impact from the mandatory convertible notes issued in 2008.

  • Increase of share capital by means of a rights offering as approved by shareholders in April.

  • The sale of a securities portfolio to a fund managed by BlackRock, Inc.

  • The agreement to transfer illiquid securities and other positions to a fund owned and controlled by the Swiss National Bank.

  • A gain on own credit recorded by the Investment Bank.

  • Provisions made by Wealth Management US in relation to auction rate securities.

  • A provision made in connection with the US cross-border case.

  • A net income tax benefit from tax losses which arose in 2008.

As of or for the year ended% change from
CHF million, except where indicated31.12.0831.12.0731.12.0631.12.07


Performance indicators from continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share (CHF) 1

(7.60)

(2.61)

4.64

(191)

Return on equity attributable to UBS shareholders (%) 2

(57.9)

(11.7)

23.9

(395)

Cost / income ratio (%) 3

680.4

111.0

70.5

Net new money (CHF billion) 4

(226.0)

140.6

151.7


Group results

Operating income

1,201

31,721

47,484

(96)

Operating expenses

28,555

35,463

33,365

(19)

Operating profit before tax (from continuing and discontinued operations)

(27,155)

(3,597)

15,007

(655)

Net profit attributable to UBS shareholders

(20,887)

(5,247)

11,527

(298)

Personnel (full-time equivalents) 5

77,783

83,560

78,140

(7)

Invested assets (CHF billion)

2,174

3,189

2,989

(32)


UBS balance sheet and capital management

Balance sheet key figures

Total assets

2,015,098

2,274,891

2,348,733

(11)

Equity attributable to UBS shareholders

32,800

36,875

51,037

(11)

Market capitalization 6

43,519

108,654

154,222

(60)

 

BIS capital ratios 7

Tier 1 (%)

11.0

9.1 8

12.2 8

Total BIS (%)

15.1

12.2 8

15.0 8

Risk-weighted assets

302,273

374,421 8

344,015 8

(19)

 

Long-term ratings

Fitch, London

A+

AA

AA+

Moody’s, New York

Aa2

Aaa

Aa2

Standard & Poor’s, New York

A+

AA

AA+

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Important notice 

UBS has restated its annual report for 2008 on May 20, 2009, including the financial statements and other information.