Best Research – UBS 2026

This is another award that was requested by readers and users, which was something of a surprise if we are being honest, because research, especially in a world in which the transmission of data has never been easier, was at risk of growing so many woods, we couldn’t see the trees!

Again, this is not about the quality of the research or trade ideas – that is for customers to vote upon with their business – rather it is about ease of delivery, and ensuring the right information gets to the right people. This is where UBS’ Neo has long had an advantage because of the “social” nature of its build. It is made for idea generation and sharing.

The analytics are part of the package of course, but again, it is hard to differentiate when the raw data is coming from a few sources (the franchise is probably the only real differentiator), which means it comes down to trade ideas, and, as far as UBS is concerned, extending this into existing trades.

While, at a top level, we think about trade ideas as putting a new position or hedge on, the reality is, a great number of hedges can be adjusted as markets move – especially in a time, such as now, with so many mini-spikes and troughs. Most clients are unable to keep up with these moves and any opportunity that may arise to improve their hedging programme, but UBS is doing it for them.

Not only does the platform alert clients to a potential restructuring opportunity, it allows them to, if they wish, “what-if” the idea and nuance it accordingly. Scenario analysis is part of the solution for those with more time, but the real beauty in the solution is how easy it is to trade from the idea generation tool – again, this is part of the genius of the Neo design.

We have already mentioned UBS’s excellent STIR analytics, with this it has, naturally, great option analytics, but where research genuinely helps a client is by saving, or making, them money. A great number of clients don’t want to take a punt on the markets but they do have to hedge, and they wish to do it in the most efficient way possible. UBS provides all this, but on top, it has a quick and easy solution for identifying ways to save even more money – and that is invaluable.