UBS Group: 2019 net profit USD 4.3bn, 12.4% return on CET1 capital Dienstag, 21. Januar 2020 - 06:45

• 2019 reported PBT USD 5.6bn; adjusted1 PBT USD 6.0bn
• 4Q19 reported PBT USD 0.9bn; adjusted1 PBT USD 1.2bn
• 2019 reported RoCET12 12.4%; diluted EPS USD 1.14; TBVPS USD 13.29
• CET1 capital ratio 13.7% and CET1 leverage ratio 3.9%; tier 1 leverage ratio4 5.7%
• 2019 ordinary dividend USD 0.73 per share proposed; repurchased USD 0.8bn of shares in 2019; total pay-out ratio of 80%
• Targeting reported RoCET12 of 12-15% in 2020-2022 and reiterating growth ambitions in GWM, supporting UBS’s attractive capital returns profile

1 Adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures defined by SEC regulations. Refer to the “Performance of our business divisions and Corporate Center – reported and adjusted“ table in this news release.
2 Return on CET1 capital. Net profit attributable to shareholders (annualized as applicable) divided by average common equity tier 1 capital.
3 Equity attributable to shareholders decreased by USD 2bn during the fourth quarter of 2019, of which USD 2bn related to other comprehensive income from defined benefit plans, predominantly reflecting a reversal of the Swiss pension plan’s net defined benefit asset that was initially recognized in the third quarter of 2019. This had no significant impact on CET1 capital
4 Going concern leverage ratio under Swiss SRB rules applicable as of 1 January 2020.
5 Shareholders whose shares are held through SIX (ISIN CH0244767585) will receive dividends in Swiss francs, based on a published exchange rate calculated to five decimal places immediately before the ex-dividend date. Shareholders holding shares through DTC (ISIN: CH0244767585; CUSIP: H42097107) will be paid dividends in US dollars.
6 Subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 29 April 2020, the dividend will be paid on 7 May 2020 to shareholders of record as of 6 May 2020. The ex-dividend date will be 6 May 2020. As newly required under Swiss tax law, 50% of the dividend will be paid out of retained earnings and the balance will be paid out capital contribution reserves. Dividends paid out of capital contribution reserves are not subject to Swiss withholding tax. The portion of the dividend paid out of retained earnings will be subject to a 35% Swiss withholding tax. For US federal income tax purposes, we expect that the dividend will be paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits.