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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Watching UBS shares amid biggest ever quarterly profit for global bank

Swiss banking giant UBS has posted the biggest-ever quarterly profit for a bank in the second quarter because of its emergency takeover of Credit Suisse.

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Second quarter group net profit attributable to shareholders was $28.875 billion versus analysts' estimates of $33.45bln, so it was a disappointment, but the sheer size of the quarterly profit was a direct result of the accounting difference between the $3 billion price UBS paid for Credit Suisse and the value of the acquired lender's balance sheet. Third quarter forecasts are for 'around breakeven'.

(Video Transcript)

UBS quarterly profit

The Swiss banking giant UBS has scored the biggest ever quarterly profit that's ever been seen by any global bank before. It comes as the emergency takeover of Credit Suisse goes through its books. Let's take a look at the figures that we got through. Second quarter group net profit attributable to shareholders was $28.875 billion.

Credit Suisse

Now this is against estimates of $33.45 billion. So it was a disappointment, but the sheer size of the quarterly profit was as a direct result of the accounting difference between the $3 billion price that UBS paid for Credit Suisse and the value of the acquired lender's balance sheet. In reality, there was a second quarter group negative goodwill of $28.9 billion. Third quarter forecasts are for a round break even. Bloomberg's reporting that UBS now commands roughly $5 trillion in client assets, giving it a shot at global primacy in the business of managing the wealthy money.

UBS share price chart

Let's take a look at the share price chart. You can see here we have a new 15-year high. This is as far back as the chart goes on the IG platform. But if you look at other charts, it has been far higher than where we are at the moment, 15 years plus ago. A look at what we've got in terms of the shape of the candle today. We're off the highs, but still we are above the highs that we had back in 2015.

Now, 2326, UBS has confirmed that it will fully integrate the local business of Credit Suisse by next year. And it's seeking something like around about $10 billion in cost cuts. So it is going to be profitable for the company when it sorts out the synergies, when it sorts out the finer details of swallowing Credit Suisse. But overall, UBS is doing well today with a new 15-year high in the stock. Thanks for watching.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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