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☆ Lufthansa's boss called delays to Boeing deliveries 'extremely annoying,' and it further highlights a growing dilemma for the aviation giant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The CEO of Europe's biggest airline called Boeing's delivery delays "extremely annoying." AdvertisementThe CEO of Lufthansa has become the second airline boss in recent days to voice his frustration with Boeing over delivery delays. In an interview with Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung published Saturday, Carsten Spohr was asked about the planemaker's delivery delays. In an interview with CNBC, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum told Boeing to "get your act together." AdvertisementAfter announcing his resignation, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company needed to slow down production in order to focus on safety.

Persons: —, Carsten Spohr, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Dave Calhoun, Al Maktoum's, Brendan Nelson, Spohr Organizations: Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Service, Lufthansa, Swiss, Neue Zuercher, Europe's, Emirates, CNBC, Boeing Global, Sky Arabia, Ryanair, United Airlines, Max, Airbus, Zuercher Zeitung, Business

☆ The UK is 'an interesting investment' right now: UBS Global Wealth Management
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe UK is 'an interesting investment' right now: UBS Global Wealth ManagementAdrian Zuercher of UBS Global Wealth Management, discusses the outlook for U.S. and U.K. markets.

Persons: UBS Global Wealth Management Adrian Zuercher Organizations: UBS Global Wealth Management

☆ UBS discusses outlook for U.S. rates and stock market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUBS discusses outlook for U.S. rates and stock marketAdrian Zuercher, head global asset allocation and co-head global investment management Asia-Pacific at UBS Global Wealth Management, discusses the outlook for U.S. interest rates.

Persons: Adrian Zuercher Organizations: UBS, UBS Global Wealth Management Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Holcim eyes $30 billion valuation with North American business listing, picks new CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Switzerland's Holcim will spin off 100% of its North American operations in a New York flotation which could value the business at $30 billion, the building materials giant said on Sunday, as it also named a new chief executive. The spin-off could value the new company at around $30 billion, Jenisch told reporters, with Holcim retaining no stake. Holcim North America was trading at only 7 times operating profit, far less than the 10 to 15 times multiple of peers. Holcim is the biggest cement maker in North America, where it employs 16,000 people across 850 sites. The remaining Holcim business will have sales of around 17 billion Swiss francs ($19.69 billion), and employ 48,000 people.

Persons: Switzerland's, Miljan Gutovic, Jan Jenisch, Lafarge, Jenisch, Zuercher, Martin Huesler, Carlisle, James Hardy Organizations: Holcim, New York Stock Exchange, Eagle Materials Locations: New York, Holcim, Swiss, U.S, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, America, North America, Carlisle, The U.S

☆ Julius Baer lowers profit expectations as credit provisions rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Swiss private bank Julius Baer is seen at their headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 2, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Julius Baer (BAER.S) on Monday dampened profit expectations after it booked valuation adjustments of 82 million Swiss francs ($92.6 million). The Swiss bank said that of the 82 million francs in valuation adjustments, 70 million francs were booked against the group's credit portfolio after Oct. 31, 2023. Analysts at Zuercher Kantonalbank had expected 15 billion francs, with Baer having already reported inflows of 7 billion francs for the first half of 2023. Assets under management rose 3% to 435 billion francs during the period, driven mainly by inflows and the strength of the global equity market.

Persons: Julius Baer, Arnd, Baer, Rene Benko, Andreas Venditti, Zuercher Kantonalbank, Noele, Miranda Murray, Christopher Cushing, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Signa, Reuters, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss, Zuercher

☆ EFG shares jump 3% following record profitability
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of EFG International bank is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 28, 2018. The bank's share price has risen more than 11% this year, and hit a year-high of 10.98 Swiss francs on Nov. 1. This is on top of its existing commitment to repurchase up to 6 million shares by Sept. 11, 2024 . At 144.1 billion Swiss francs, assets under management were only slightly higher than the 143.1 billion francs at the end of 2022. According to EFG, the growth in net new assets was largely offset by negative currency effects.

Persons: Arnd, Giorgio Pradelli, Zuercher, Michael Klien, EFG, Noele Illien, Sharon Singleton Organizations: International, REUTERS, Rights, EFG, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss

☆ Cartier owner Richemont sees growth easing as economic worries rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Richemont's constant currency sales growth eased from a 19% rate in the April to June period to a 5% rate in the following three months. The company posted a profit of 1.51 billion euros, worse than the 2.17 billion euros forecast by analysts in a consensus cited by Zuercher Kantonalbank. "Growth eased in the second quarter as inflationary pressure, slowing economic growth and geopolitical tensions began to affect customer sentiment, compounded by strong comparatives," said Chairman Johann Rupert in a statement. "Consequently, we have seen a broad-based normalisation of market growth expectations across the industry." While jewellery - traditionally more resilient to economic swings - continued to shine with constant currency sales up 9%, watch sales fell 4%.

Persons: Regis, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, LVMH, Zuercher Kantonalbank, Johann Rupert, Kepler, Jon Cox, John Revill, Mimosa, Miranda Murray, Shri Navaratnam, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Cartier, Vendome, REUTERS, Rights, IWC, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Swiss, United States, Europe, China

Logos of Swiss banks Credit Suisse and UBS are seen before a news conference in Zurich Switzerland, August 30, 2023. The analyst said higher deposit rates were potentially being used to limit outflows at Credit Suisse and had been weighing on the bank's ability to bolster revenue. Credit Suisse reported net asset outflows of 39 billion francs in the second quarter. However, UBS said the outflows had slowed down and reversed in June, with Credit Suisse reporting net deposit inflows of $18 billion in the second quarter. UBS's Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti has said he aims to get back the Credit Suisse assets.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Kian Abouhossein, Abouhossein, Sergio Ermotti, Ermotti, Noele Illien, Stefania Spezzati, Oliver Hirt, Elisa Martinuzzi, Mark Potter Organizations: Credit Suisse, UBS, REUTERS, Rights, Suisse, JPMorgan, UBS's, Thomson Locations: Zurich Switzerland, Raiffeisen, Switzerland

☆ 'Pain trade': UBS CIO warns of bear trap as Chinese stocks rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The recent rally in Chinese stocks could catch investors out, according to a UBS chief investment officer, who warned of a "pain trade." He added that, if the positive news continues, Chinese markets could climb further. Tactical trade However, Zuercher said there could be a "tactical trade" over the coming weeks or months, as hedge funds potentially suffer. I do think a lot of hedge funds are also probably mispositioned in this area," Zuercher said. Hedge funds often use a long-short strategy, where they buy stocks in the same sector, betting that one will go up and the other down.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Adrian Zuercher, CNBC's, Zuercher, — CNBC's Evelyn Cheng, Elliot Smith Organizations: UBS, U.S Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ UBS expects to seal Credit Suisse takeover as early as June 12
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"UBS expects to complete the acquisition of Credit Suisse as early as 12 June 2023. At that time, Credit Suisse Group AG will be merged into UBS Group AG," it said. UBS shares were indicated 1.1% higher in premarket activity in Switzerland, while Credit Suisse shares were up 0.7%. SIX said in a separate statement Credit Suisse shares would be delisted on June 13 at the earliest. Under the all-share takeover, Credit Suisse shareholders will receive one UBS share for every 22.48 shares they held.

Persons: Zuercher, Michael Klien, Sergio Ermotti, Ermotti, John Revill, Noele, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Suisse, UBS, Credit Suisse, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Credit Suisse Group AG, UBS Group AG, Reuters, Swiss, SIX Swiss Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, SIX, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: premarket ZURICH, Swiss, Switzerland, Credit

☆ UBS says Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Koerner will join its board
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Besides Körner, who spent over a decade at UBS before returning to Credit Suisse in 2021, UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti largely leaned on UBS executives in pulling together his new team. Some media had speculated that a number of Credit Suisse bankers would take up senior roles at the new group. Credit Suisse executive board members will report to both their relevant UBS executive board member and Körner. “This is a pivotal moment for UBS, Credit Suisse and the entire banking industry,” Ermotti said in the statement Tuesday. Zuercher Kantonalbank said this meant there would be initially no big changes for the current Credit Suisse management.

☆ German makers of Leopard 2 tank settle legal dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUESSELDORF, May 2 (Reuters) - German arms makers Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann have settled a legal dispute over the intellectual property rights to the Leopard 2, one of the world's most advanced battle tanks, a court said on Tuesday. A boom in defence orders due to the war in Ukraine, and in particular demand for Leopard tanks from Kyiv to help in the fight against Russian forces, has boosted both companies. Duesseldorf-based Rheinmetall makes the cannon of the Leopard 2 and Munich-based KMW makes its chassis. Rheinmetall said both parties had sought to settle the dispute as quickly as possible with the aim of returning to day-to-day business. Earlier this year, Germany bowed to pressure from allies and agreed to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

☆ Swiss regulator says two banks' crisis plans are insufficient
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, April 26 (Reuters) - Swiss financial regulator FINMA has labelled the recovery and resolution plans of two of Switzerland's five systematically important banks as insufficient, it said on Wednesday. FINMA questioned the ability of Zuercher Kantonalbank (ZKB)[RIC:RIC:ZKB.UL] and PostFinance [RIC:RIC:PFAG.UL] to continue functioning in case they experienced a crisis. The assessment released by FINMA gauged the emergency plans of Switzerland's main banks as they stood at the end of 2022. It does not therefore take into account Credit Suisse's (CSGN.S) merger with UBS (UBSG.S). "It is clear that there are important lessons to be learned from the Credit Suisse crisis for future crisis preparations," FINMA'S Chief Executive Urban Angehrn said.

Bowing to pressure from allies, Germany's government this year agreed to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, one of the big ticket items sought by Kyiv as it gears up to mount a counteroffensive against Russian forces. Duesseldorf-based Rheinmetall makes the cannon of the Leopard 2 while the Munich-based KMW makes its chassis. A district court in Munich in a statement on Tuesday said KMW was seeking legal protection to prevent Rheinmetall from making statements it saw as "untrue, misleading factual assertions that violate its rights". Higher defence spending pushed Rheinmetall to record earnings last year and saw the company enter Germany's DAX blue-chip index. ($1 = 0.9106 euros)Writing by Matthias Williams Editing by Alexandra HudsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swiss lender ZKB held takeover talks with GAM Holding, Financial Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 22 (Reuters) - Swiss lender Zuercher Kantonalbank, known locally as ZKB, has held takeover talks with GAM Holding AG (GAMH.S), the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. London-listed Liontrust Asset Management (LIO.L) said earlier this week it was discussing a potential merger of its investment management unit with GAM. In an emailed statement, ZKB declined to comment on whether takeover talks had taken place with GAM, but said the company was "constantly examining opportunities within its business development strategy". According to the Financial Times report, Z Capital Group, a New York-based investment firm, is also interested in buying GAM. GAM and Z Capital did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ Austrian banks unaffected by banking turmoil - finance minister tells NZZ
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They are very well prepared," Brunner told Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung. He also defended Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) (RBIV.VI) which has come under fire for continuing to operate in Russia despite the war in Ukraine. "As for RBI, the bank complies with all international sanctions," Brunner told NZZ. "Incidentally, there are other European banks that continue to operate legally in Russia. The minister also said Austrian inflation, which fell to an estimated 9.2% in March, was still too high and called on the European Central Bank to do more to contain price increases.

☆ Austrian banks unaffected by banking turmoil, finance minister tells Neue Zuercher Zeitung
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They are very well prepared," Brunner told Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung. He also defended Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) (RBIV.VI) which has come under fire for continuing to operate in Russia despite the war in Ukraine. "As for RBI, the bank complies with all international sanctions," Brunner told NZZ. "Incidentally, there are other European banks that continue to operate legally in Russia. "The European Central Bank (ECB) in particular can do something about this, as a member of the euro zone we are dependent on the ECB," Brunner said.

☆ Swiss economists question UBS takeover of Credit Suisse in poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ZURICH, March 31 (Reuters) - A poll of Swiss economists found that nearly half think the takeover of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) by UBS (UBSG.S) was not the best solution, warning the saga has dented Switzerland's reputation as a banking centre. Switzerland's KOF economic research institute found that 48% of the 167 university economists it questioned would have preferred a state takeover and possible later sale of Credit Suisse. Restructuring Credit Suisse under 'too big to fail" rules was favoured by 28% of respondents. This would have meant rescuing the systemically important Swiss business of Credit Suisse and the international part restructured or wound up. Some 40% of the public thought a temporary state takeover of Credit Suisse would have been a better solution, the GFS Bern survey said.

☆ VIEW Sergio Ermotti makes surprise comeback to lead UBS into new era
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STORIES: read moreANDREAS VENDITTI, HEAD OF BANKS RESEARCH, BANK VONTOBEL"We welcome the appointment of Sergio Ermotti and believe that he is right person for the challenging task, given his experience of successfully transforming UBS after the Global Financial Crisis." In addition, UBS is already facing significant political pressure due to its large size and importance for the country. MICHAEL KLIEN, ANALYST, ZUERCHER KANTONALBANK"With this change of leadership, the bank is sending a clear signal that its focus is on the successful integration of Credit Suisse. With Ermotti, UBS is bringing on board a proven expert on the bank and an effective enforcer for the successful merger of the two banks. JERRY DEL MISSIER, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AT COPPER STREET CAPITAL AND FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT BARCLAYS"They needed to strengthen management.

☆ Sergio Ermotti makes surprise comeback to lead UBS into new era
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

STORIES: read moreASHLEY PITTARD, HEAD OF GLOBAL EQUITIES, PENDAL, SYDNEY: (A SHAREHOLDER)"Without a doubt, he is the right person for the job. "Sergio was in the trenches during and post the global financial crisis when UBS was in a lot of trouble. VICTORIA SCHOLAR, HEAD OF INVESTMENT, INTERACTIVE INVESTOR, LONDON"Having steered UBS through the aftermath of the 2008 GFC and a rogue-trading scandal, Ermotti is a dab hand at crisis management. He also helped UBS to navigate through the onset of the pandemic and the corresponding market volatility during most of 2020. With Ermotti, UBS is bringing on board a proven expert on the bank and an effective enforcer for the successful merger of the two banks.

☆ Zurich bank looks to capitalise on Credit Suisse's demise
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"There is a chance that the situation might accelerate our existing plans," he added, and suggested the bank would be open to looking into purchasing businesses from Credit Suisse, should they become available. "We want to grow and we have stated that we are open to looking at external growth as well, regardless of the situation of Credit Suisse," Baumann said. The Canton of Zurich is liable under the state guarantee for any ZKB liabilities which the bank cannot cover in the event of trouble. Deposits in Swiss bank accounts are usually only protected up to 100,000 Swiss francs. ($1 = 0.9190 Swiss francs)($1 = 0.9168 Swiss francs)($1 = 0.9160 Swiss francs)($1 = 0.9164 Swiss francs)Reporting by Noele IllienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swiss finance minister defends rushed banking takeover
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"Credit Suisse would not have survived Monday," Karin Keller-Sutter said, explaining the need to find a swift solution for Credit Suisse's woes. Last Sunday it was announced that UBS (UBSG.S) had agreed to buy its rival Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in stock and agreed to assume up to 5 billion francs ($5.4 billion) in losses in a merger engineered by Swiss authorities to prevent more market turmoil in global banking. Shareholders, for example, who would normally get a say in such a takeover were largely bypassed, which has angered some of them. Keller-Sutter said the Swiss government's executive Federal Council "only went as far as was absolutely necessary to achieve the goal of stabilisation". ($1 = 0.9199 Swiss francs)Reporting by Noele Illien Editing by Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe Swiss Bank Employees Association, in a statement to Reuters, demanded that UBS keep job cuts to an "absolute minimum". The statement underscores the sense of unease in Switzerland, with its reputation as a global financial center on the line. Green Party lawmaker Gerhard Andrey said that Credit Suisse is "such a visible institute". "A few months ago, nobody would have thought that Credit Suisse would fail. "But also that we are upholding the reputation of the Swiss financial centre."

☆ Lindt & Spruengli proposes dividend hike as 2022 profit climb
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ZURICH, March 7 (Reuters) - Lindt & Spruengli (LISN.S) said its 2022 profit rose and the Swiss chocolate maker also proposed a higher dividend payout on Tuesday, despite a challenging year that saw inflationary price hikes dampen consumer sentiment in key markets. Net income rose to 569.7 million Swiss francs ($612.78 million), beating the 566 million francs forecast by analysts at Zuercher Kantonalbank. It proposed a dividend of 1,300 francs per registered share, up from the 1,200 francs last year. Chocolate Gold Bunnys are seen during the annual news conference of Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Spruengli in Kilchberg, Switzerland March 8, 2022. With cost pressures continuing to pose a challenge, Lindt said it is likely to do the same this year.

☆ Swiss private bank EFG profit dips as it settles Taiwan dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Feb 22 (Reuters) - EFG International's (EFGN.S) net profit fell 1.7% to 202.4 million Swiss francs ($218.50 million) last year, the Swiss private bank said on Wednesday, as it settled legal proceedings related to a client relationship with a Taiwanese insurance company. EFG said it had paid 40.6 million francs in legal costs and increased provisions to resolve the dispute, with all proceedings against the bank now ended. On an underlying basis, which removes these costs as well as other items like gains from its legacy life insurance business, EFG's net profit increased to 248.7 million francs from 167.8 million francs a year earlier. The bank said along with the market correction, the decline in assets the Swiss bank manages reflects the disposal of the Spanish private bank A&G. In 2021 EFG reported 8.8 billion francs.

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