UBS Clients Pull $15 Billion in Quarter as Margins Decline

UBS Group AG said clients pulled a net 15.2 billion francs in the final three months of last year, and margins at its wealth management business declined for a third straight quarter, even as rising stock markets and higher interest rates in the U.S. lifted earnings. The bank fell as much as 3.6 percent in Zurich trading, pulling other wealth managers lower, after saying all of its money management units saw net redemptions last quarter.

Morgan Stanley, UBS Said to Plan Boosting China JV Stakes

Morgan Stanley and UBS Group AG are in talks with local partners to boost holdings in their China securities businesses, a sign of growing confidence in those operations, according to people familiar with the matter. The banks are engaged in separate discussions on raising their stakes to 49 percent, the maximum allowed under current regulations, the people said, asking not to be identified because the negotiations are confidential.