Results

2005

Our 2005 result was the best ever, with all our financial businesses reporting a stronger performance than a year earlier. Attributable profit in 2005 was CHF 13,517 million, of which discontinued operations contributed CHF 4,075 million, reflecting the impact of the sale of Private Banks & GAM. Net profit from continuing operations was CHF 9,442 million, and there was no goodwill charge. This was up 28% from CHF 7,357 million after goodwill in 2004, or 18% from CHF 8,003 million before goodwill. Higher revenues in practically all businesses drove the increase, clearly outpacing growth in costs. Asset-based revenues showed particular strength, reflecting rising market levels as well as strong inflows into our wealth and asset management businesses. We also saw a strong increase in brokerage, corporate finance and underwriting fees. Overall, net fee and commission income now contributes 54% to total operating income. Income from trading activities reached a record high as well, fueled by improved market opportunities, particularly in second half 2005. Revenues from interest margin products increased, reflecting the success and growth of lending activities to wealthy private clients worldwide. We also reported record credit loss recoveries. Personnel expenses were up 12% from a year earlier; performance-related payments rose with revenues and there was a general increase in staff numbers (the number of employees across the financial businesses rose 3% in 2005, with the increase spread across all businesses). For 2005, 50% of personnel expenses took the form of bonus or other variable compensation, up from 49% a year earlier. Average variable compensation per head in 2005 was 10% higher than in 2004. Despite continued investments in expanding our business while improving services to clients and streamlining internal processes, we kept costs under control. General and administrative expenses were up just 1% in 2005 from a year earlier. Because of the strength of revenue growth, our cost / income ratio was 70.1% in 2005.

Operating income

Total operating income was CHF 39,896 million in 2005, up 11% from CHF 35,971 million in 2004. This was the highest level ever.

Net interest income was CHF 9,528 million in 2005, down from CHF 11,744 million in the same period a year earlier. Net trading income was CHF 7,996 million, up from CHF 4,902 million in 2004.

As well as income from interest margin-based activities (loans and deposits), net interest income includes income earned as a result of trading activities (for example, coupon and dividend income). This component is volatile from period to period, depending on the composition of the trading portfolio. In order to provide a better explanation of the movements in net interest income and net trading income, we analyze the total according to the business activities that give rise to the income, rather than by the type of income generated.

Net income from trading activities increased by 4% or CHF 387 million from CHF 11,032 million in 2004 to CHF 11,419 million in 2005. At CHF 3,928 million, equities trading income in 2005 was up 27% or CHF 830 million from CHF 3,098 million in 2004. Last year saw a large increase in derivatives and prime brokerage revenues around the globe, with the derivatives business seeing significant growth in both Asia Pacific and Europe as we continued to develop in these regions. Americas showed the strongest growth in prime brokerage, reflecting the growth of our client base. These gains were partially offset by lower revenues in our equity cash business. Fixed income trading revenues, at CHF 5,741 million in 2005, were down 8% or CHF 523 million from CHF 6,264 million in 2004. The drop was driven by declines in credit fixed income and fixed income, partially offset by increased revenues in our rates, principal finance and commercial real estate business. Credit fixed income saw large revenue decreases in structured credit, notably in the US and credit trading in the emerging markets business and the high yield sector. Revenues in our rates business were up, driven mainly by structured LIBOR derivatives, European interest rates and US energy trading. We recorded revenues of CHF 103 million relating to Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) hedging existing credit exposure in the loan book, against losses of CHF 62 million a year earlier. At CHF 1,458 million, revenues from our foreign exchange business were stable in 2005 compared to CHF 1,467 million recorded a year earlier. While derivatives trading was negatively impacted by historically low volatility levels, foreign exchange trading revenues rose due to higher volumes.

Net income from interest margin products increased by 6% to CHF 5,355 million in 2005 from CHF 5,070 million in 2004. The increase was driven by the growth in lending to wealthy US clients through our US bank, UBS Bank USA. Our domestic Swiss mortgage business and wealth management collateralized lending business also grew during the year. In addition, revenues rose due to a rise of interest rates for client liabilities (with variable rates denominated in US dollars and Swiss francs). It also rose because of the appreciation of the US dollar against the Swiss franc, which helped revenues from US dollar cash accounts. This increase was partially offset by lower income from our shrinking Swiss recovery portfolio, which dropped by CHF 1.1 billion compared to year-end 2004.

At CHF 750 million, net income from treasury and other activities in 2005 was CHF 206 million or 38% higher than CHF 544 million in 2004. The increase reflects the benefits of the diversification of our capital base into currencies other than the Swiss franc in a way that matches the currency mix of our risk weighted assets. The higher equity base had a positive impact on treasury income as well, as did a positive timing effect related to cash flow hedging.

In 2005, we experienced a net credit loss recovery of CHF 375 million, compared to a net credit loss recovery of CHF 241 million in 2004. Releases in country allowances and provisions of CHF 118 million reflected the generally positive macro-economic environment in key emerging markets. This favorable result was achieved in a period which saw a benign environment for credit markets globally. Economic expansion in the US provided a strong stimulus for growth worldwide. Almost without exception, credit spreads contracted in all the major developed and emerging capital markets, as healthy expansion of cash flows allowed the corporate sector to de-leverage and build liquidity.

The net credit loss recovery at Global Wealth Management & Business Banking was CHF 223 million in 2005 compared to a net credit loss recovery of CHF 94 million in 2004. The benign credit environment in Switzerland, where the corporate bankruptcy rate has receded in 2005 coupled with the measures taken in recent years to improve the quality of our credit portfolio has resulted in a continued low level of new defaults. The success we have had in managing our impaired portfolio has also resulted in a higher than anticipated level of recoveries.

The Investment Bank experienced a net credit loss recovery of CHF 152 million in 2005, compared to a net credit loss recovery of CHF 147 million in 2004. This continued strong performance was the result of minimal exposure to new defaults and strong recoveries of previously established allowances and provisions as we actively sold impaired assets at better than anticipated terms.

For further details on our risk management approach, how we measure credit risk and the development of our credit risk exposures, please see the “Financial Management” chapter of our Handbook 2005/2006.

In 2005, net fee and commission income was CHF 21,436 million, up 16% from CHF 18,506 million a year earlier. The increase was driven by a strong contribution from recurring asset-based fees, higher investment fund fees and net brokerage fees, rising corporate finance fees as well as an increase in underwriting fees. Underwriting fees, at their highest level ever, were CHF 2,857 million in 2005, up 13% from CHF 2,531 million in 2004. Fixed income underwriting fees increased due to significantly improved market conditions and our enhanced competitive position, but were slightly offset by lower equity underwriting fees. Fixed income underwriting was CHF 1,516 million in 2005, up 36% from CHF 1,114 million in 2004. Equity underwriting slightly decreased by 5% to CHF 1,341 million in the same period. At CHF 1,460 million, corporate finance fees in 2005 were up 35% from CHF 1,078 million a year earlier. Advisory gross revenues increased notably during 2005, signalling the continued strength of merger and acquisition markets, and our growing franchise in this area. Net brokerage fees were CHF 5,087 million in 2005, up 15% or CHF 680 million from CHF 4,407 million in 2004, reflecting the improved markets and the resulting higher confidence of institutional and individual clients – especially in the second half of 2005. Investment fund fees, at their highest level ever, were CHF 4,750 million in 2005, up 20% from CHF 3,948 million in 2004, mainly reflecting higher asset-based fees for our wealth and asset management businesses, driven by strong client money inflows and strong market conditions. Fiduciary fees were slightly higher in 2005 increasing from CHF 197 million in 2004 to CHF 212 million, reflecting an increased number of mandates. At CHF 1,176 million, custodian fees in 2005 were up 3% from CHF 1,143 million in 2004. This increase was entirely due to an enlarged asset base. Portfolio and other management and advisory fees increased by 18% to CHF 5,310 million in 2005 from CHF 4,488 million in 2004. The increase is again the result of rising invested asset levels driven by market valuations and strong net new money inflows. Insurance-related and other fees, at CHF 372 million in 2005, increased by 8% from a year earlier, due to higher commissions from insurance related products. Credit-related fees and commissions increased by 16% to CHF 306 million in 2005 from CHF 264 million in 2004, reflecting improved market conditions which brought higher volumes.

Commission income from other services increased by 5% from CHF 977 million in 2004 to CHF 1,027 million in 2005, mainly driven by equity derivative products distributed in Switzerland.

Other income decreased by 3% to CHF 561 million in 2005 from CHF 578 million in 2004, mainly due to both lower net gains from disposal of associates and subsidiaries and from investments in property. This was partially offset by higher net gains from disposal of investment in financial assets available-for-sale.

Operating expenses

We continue to tightly manage our cost base with a clear focus on improving the efficiency of our businesses. Total operating expenses increased by 6% to CHF 27,704 million in 2005 from CHF 26,149 million in 2004.

Personnel expenses increased by CHF 2,197 million or 12% to CHF 19,903 million in 2005 from CHF 17,706 million in 2004. The rise was driven by higher performance-related compensation reflecting the better performance in all our businesses. Personnel expenses are managed on a full-year basis with final fixing of annual performance-related payments in fourth quarter. Salary expenses rose due to the 6% increase in personnel over the year (excluding the staff of Private Banks & GAM), showing the continuous expansion of our business as well as annual pay rises. Share-based components increased by 17% or CHF 232 million to CHF 1,628 million from CHF 1,396 million. This was due to an increase in the UBS share price and the higher proportion of stock in bonuses granted in 2005, partially offset by lower option expenses. Contractors’ expenses increased to CHF 823 million in 2005, up 45% from CHF 567 million in 2004, mainly related to the integration of former Perot employees into our central ITI function. It also reflects higher usage, mainly in our Investment Bank in support of increased business flows. Insurance and social security contributions rose by 23% to CHF 1,256 million in 2005 compared with CHF 1,024 million in 2004, reflecting higher salary and bonus payments. Contributions to retirement benefit plans were up 9% or CHF 61 million from CHF 651 million in 2004 to CHF 712 million in 2005 because of the higher salaries paid. At CHF 1,390 million in 2005, other personnel expenses increased CHF 25 million from CHF 1,365 million in 2004, mainly driven by increased headcount, partially offset by the end of retention payments in the Wealth Management US business and lower severance payments.

At CHF 6,448 million in 2005, general and administrative expenses increased CHF 61 million from CHF 6,387 million a year ago. The increase was driven by travel and entertainment expenses, and additional administration costs, reflecting higher employee levels and further increases in business activity. Marketing costs increased due to continued investment in our brand. This was partially offset by lower provisions (2004 included the civil penalty levied by the Federal Reserve Board relating to our banknote trading business) and reduced expenses for IT outsourcing and professional fees, as well as lower rent and maintenance of machines and equipment.

Depreciation was CHF 1,240 million in 2005, down 2% from CHF 1,262 million in 2004. This was the lowest level ever, reflecting falling IT-related charges, partially offset by higher depreciation on real estate.

There was no amortization of goodwill in 2005 as we were required to stop doing so at the start of the year. In 2004, amortization of goodwill was CHF 646 million.

At CHF 127 million, amortization of other intangible assets was down 24% from CHF 168 million a year earlier, due to the reclassification of the Wealth Management US workforce to goodwill.