UBS reports 80 percent profit surge to 3 billion dollars

Wednesday 29 April 2026 - 09:40

By: Dakir Madiha

UBS reports 80 percent profit surge to 3 billion dollars

UBS reported a sharp rise in profitability for the first quarter, with net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 3 billion dollars. The figure marks an 80 percent increase compared with the same period last year and exceeds market expectations of about 2.8 billion dollars. The performance was supported by stronger trading activity and sustained client engagement across key divisions.

The bank’s capital position also strengthened over the quarter. Its common equity tier 1 ratio rose to 14.7 percent from 14.4 percent in the previous period, signaling improved financial resilience. Underlying profit before tax reached 3.9 billion dollars, up 54 percent year on year, driven by broad-based gains across its businesses.

UBS confirmed plans to continue returning capital to shareholders. The group repurchased 900 million dollars in shares during the quarter and remains on track to complete a 3 billion dollar buyback program before its next quarterly results. It also signaled additional repurchases later in the year, a move that contributed to a more than 5 percent rise in its share price in early trading.

Despite the strong results, the bank warned that net interest income in its global wealth management and personal and corporate banking units is expected to remain broadly flat in the second quarter. Management cited a resilient market environment but acknowledged elevated geopolitical risks, including tensions linked to the Middle East conflict and broader uncertainty around global stability.

UBS highlighted continued momentum in its wealth management franchise, which recorded 37 billion dollars in net new assets during the quarter. Its asset management division added 14 billion dollars in net new money. The bank also pointed to stable conditions in private credit, where exposure remains limited at around 0.5 percent of its balance sheet. At the same time, it continues to face scrutiny from Swiss regulators over proposals that could require additional capital buffers following past banking sector instability.