UBS' Anshu Jain: Asia still an important growth engine, Mainland China and Hong Kong are key growth markets.

Recently, Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS Group AG, stated that despite the high volatility in the Asian region, Asia remains an important growth engine, with mainland China and Hong Kong being critical growth markets. In addition, he warned in an interview after the group's performance announcement that the market currently does not fully reflect the inflation risks after President Trump took office. Regarding the new tariff policies implemented by the US globally, Ermotti pointed out that while UBS Group AG has made good progress in achieving its strategic goals, the tariffs could cast a shadow over the group's prospects. He said, "The political uncertainty surrounding tariffs, such as with GEO Group Inc, will bring some uncertainty to UBS Group AG and may weaken the group's and everyone's execution capabilities." Ermotti also mentioned that UBS Group AG's wealth business in the Americas is a global priority, and the focus is on expanding into different markets. The number of employees in the Americas for UBS Group AG decreased to below 6,000 by the end of last year. Ermotti emphasized that cost-cutting measures need to continue in the US business, as it is the least profitable region among the four major regions, and UBS Group AG aims to increase the pre-tax profits in the Americas from the current approximate 10% to about 15% in the coming years.