UBS research focus

«UBS research focus» will appear two to three times a year, each issue being devoted to a specific subject in the fields of economics, financial markets and investments. The publication is geared to UBS clients in Switzerland and abroad, provided the respective country of domicile of these clients is not subject to legal restrictions.

UBS research focus - Currencies: a delicate imbalance

(4.3.2008 / Wealth Management Research)

The imbalances between currencies reflect huge distortions in global capital and trade flows. Inflation concerns in countries that peg their currencies to the US dollar may herald profound change to these imbalances.
In its new UBS research focus report, "Currencies: a delicate imbalance," Wealth Management Research explores the impact of major currency realignments on economic growth and on asset prices, noting the hazards and opportunities for investors.

UBS research focus - M&A: still a big deal

(15.11.2007 / Wealth Management Research)

Mergers and acquisitions will continue to grow. In its latest piece of in-depth research, UBS Wealth Management Research shows what this trend means for companies, shareholders, and the overall economy.

UBS research focus - Asia's ascent

(21.3.2007 / Wealth Management Research)

This UBS research focus report entitled, "Asia's ascent," provides an assessment of the long-term economic growth outlook for several Asian countries and the corresponding implications for investment opportunities in the region. The report also shows the expected impact of Asia on global financial markets

UBS research focus: Climate change: beyond whether

(31.1.2007 / UBS Wealth Management Research)

This UBS research focus report entitled, "Asia's ascent," provides an assessment of the long-term economic growth outlook for several Asian countries and the corresponding implications for investment opportunities in the region. The report also shows the expected impact of Asia on global financial markets

UBS research focus: Commodities: scarcity of abudance

(23.8.2006 / UBSWealth Management Research)

This "UBS research focus" examines how changes in natural resource consumption, specifically the expected increases in demand from emerging market countries, will influence commodity prices.

Demographics: a coming of age

(5.4.2006 / UBSWealth Management Research)

We address the effect of demographic trends, particularly the aging of developed countries, on global economic growth, financial market returns, and industry trends.

UBS research focus - Investing in corporate bonds

(24.10.2005 / UBSWealth Management Research)

This Research Focus describes the market for corporate bonds and the most recent developments in the area of credit derivatives. It explains how investors can invest in a broad range of bonds with bond funds or credit derivatives.

UBS research focus - Global Convergence

(22.8.2005 / UBS research focus)

The global economic landscape is rapidly evolving as the world becomes ever more integrated and interdependent through trade and finance. This UBS research focus provides guidance to investors by answering key questions that are crucial in view of this global convergence process.

The UBS research focus finds that the process of global convergence can unlock attractive excess returns. There is also a multitude of ways for investors to exploit these opportunities, either by investing directly in emerging markets, or through investments in advanced economy equity market. In both cases, investors need to carefully consider the structural changes that are taking in place in the global financial market, as past trends are relationships are changing. UBS Wealth Management Research continuously monitors such developments.

UBS research focus - Commodity

(20.6.2005 / UBS research focus)

This study contains background information on the different aspects of commodities from the history through to the present day function in the financial markets and further, the role that they still have in our daily lives.

Investor interest in commodities has increased significantly in recent years driven mainly by increased globalisation and the awareness that Asia remains an economic force that will increase with time. But not only this, investors have reflected on the lower investment returns that have been generated by traditional assets classes since the bursting of the Dot.com bubble and, consequently noted the powerful cyclical and structural forces that benefit commodities. Unlike traditional asset classes like equities or bonds, investors are unfamiliar with the positive characteristics and properties of commodities and instead tend to focus on the high volatility element of this long-standing asset class.

UBS research focus - Real estate

(25.4.2005 / UBS research focus)

This study contains background information on the different aspects of real estate as a stand-alone investment and as part of an overall portfolio. It also offers an assessment of current valuations on the various markets.

Listed real estate markets put in a brilliant performance in 2003 and 2004 with returns of over 30%, but according to a recent UBS study they are still not overvalued. Returns expected by UBS experts over the next few years are based on long-term trends, however – i.e. 6-8% per year – and are thus considerably lower. The markets thus appear to be settling down. In the increasing similarity between the characteristics of listed real-estate investments and the underlying direct markets and the unstoppable global development of real estate investment trusts (REITs), the experts see two further trends that will make acquiring real estate via the stock exchange preferable to direct ownership as a form of investment in the future.