Stock Markets March 19, 2026

Swissquote flags lower 2026 profit as investments bite; revenue guidance broadly in line

Online bank posts FY2025 results matching expectations but warns of near-term margin pressure from technology and data investments

By Hana Yamamoto
Swissquote flags lower 2026 profit as investments bite; revenue guidance broadly in line

Swissquote Group Holding Ltd reported fiscal 2025 results that matched consensus, with CHF723 million in net revenue and CHF420 million in pre-tax profit. The 2025 pre-tax figure includes a CHF50 million one-off gain related to the consolidation of Yuh. For 2026 the company set revenue guidance of CHF760 million in line with consensus and projected pre-tax profit of CHF385 million, roughly 3% below analyst expectations, citing higher spending on technology, data and engineering that will increase headcount and near-term costs.

Key Points

  • FY2025 results met consensus: CHF723 million net revenue and CHF420 million pre-tax profit, including a CHF50 million one-off gain from the Yuh consolidation.
  • 2026 revenue guidance of CHF760 million aligns with consensus, but projected pre-tax profit of CHF385 million is roughly 3% below analyst expectations due to growth investments.
  • Client assets rose 16.3% to CHF88.7 billion; balance sheet expanded to CHF16.1 billion with a capital ratio of 25%, and management retained the CHF500 million 2028 pre-tax profit target while increasing the net revenue target to CHF950 million.

Performance in 2025

Swissquote Group Holding Ltd reported fiscal year 2025 net revenue of CHF723 million and a pre-tax profit of CHF420 million, figures that the company said were in line with consensus expectations. The year-over-year increases were 9.4% for net revenue and 21.6% for pre-tax profit. The reported pre-tax profit includes a CHF50 million one-off gain from the consolidation of Yuh.

Guidance for 2026

For 2026 the Swiss online bank issued revenue guidance of CHF760 million, effectively matching the analyst consensus of CHF761 million. The company set a pre-tax profit projection of CHF385 million for 2026, which is approximately 3% below analyst consensus, and tied the lower near-term profit outlook to ongoing growth investments.

Revenue and income drivers

Net fees and commissions rose 17.5% to CHF209 million in 2025, driven by higher trading activity with a particular emphasis on foreign exchange-denominated products. Net trading income increased 52.6% to CHF120 million. Net interest income declined 3% to CHF218 million as the impact of higher loans and deposits offset the effect of Swiss interest rate cuts.

Electronic foreign exchange income fell 3.8% year-over-year but the mix shifted toward precious metals by the end of the year, which helped sustain overall activity. Despite a 12.1% decline in crypto volumes, income from crypto assets remained steady at CHF86 million.

Costs and margins

Total expenses rose 11.8% to CHF353 million, reflecting planned growth investments. These investments reduced near-term expectations for the pre-tax profit margin. The reported fiscal 2025 pre-tax profit margin was 58.1%, a figure that reflects the inclusion of the CHF50 million one-off gain tied to the Yuh consolidation. The company also flagged that consolidation of Yuh will lead to higher depreciation charges going forward.

Customer metrics and assets

Excluding Yuh, Swissquote added more than 100,000 accounts during 2025, bringing the total number of accounts to 1.2 million when including 399,201 accounts at Yuh. Client assets rose 16.3% to CHF88.7 billion, composed of a CHF3.9 billion market tailwind and CHF8.5 billion of organic growth. Europe accounted for 40% of net new money. Client cash remained stable at 15% of client assets.

Balance sheet and capital

The company reported that its balance sheet expanded by CHF2.8 billion in 2025 to CHF16.1 billion. Management expects Swissquote to be reclassified from a category 4 to a category 3 bank once assets exceed CHF17 billion. The capital ratio increased by 150 basis points to 25%, which the company said represents CHF300 million in excess of an 18% threshold. The board intends to recommend a dividend of CHF7.40 per share, consistent with the policy of paying 30% of net profit.

Medium-term targets

Swissquote maintained its 2028 pre-tax profit target of CHF500 million but raised its net revenue target from CHF900 million to CHF950 million, attributing the higher revenue target to the consolidation of 100% of Yuh. The target pre-tax profit margin for 2028 was adjusted to 53% from a prior 55%.

Investment focus and staffing

The company said the lower 2026 pre-tax profit guidance reflects investments focused on technology, data and engineering. These initiatives will weigh on the near-term operating margin through higher headcount. Full-time employee numbers increased 13.9% year-over-year in fiscal 2025, excluding Yuh.

Board changes

Swissquote announced two changes to its board. Chairman Dr Markus Dennler will step down due to reaching the company age limit, and Hans-Rudolf König, who joined the board in May 2025, will succeed him as chairman. The company also proposed Thomas Romer as a new director; Romer brings 20 years of experience as a partner at PwC and six years as vice-chairman of the board of EXPERTsuisse.


Summary of key financials provided by the company:

  • Net revenue (FY2025): CHF723 million (up 9.4% year-over-year)
  • Pre-tax profit (FY2025): CHF420 million (up 21.6% year-over-year), includes CHF50 million one-off from Yuh consolidation
  • 2026 guidance: revenue CHF760 million (consensus CHF761 million); pre-tax profit CHF385 million (about 3% below consensus)

Risks

  • Near-term operating margin pressure from planned investments in technology, data and engineering, which will increase headcount and expenses - impacts banking and technology spend within financial services.
  • Higher depreciation charges due to the consolidation of Yuh could weigh on future profitability - affects reported earnings for the bank.
  • Reclassification risk associated with balance-sheet growth: passing CHF17 billion in assets would change the bank’s regulatory category, with implications for capital and regulatory requirements.

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