DBS Group Holdings Ltd reported a net profit of S$11.0 billion for the year ended Dec 31 2025, down 3% year-on-year, as higher tax expenses offset resilient operating momentum. Profit before tax edged up to a record S$13.1 billion, supported by stronger fee and treasury customer income that cushioned the impact of lower interest margins and a stronger Singapore dollar. Total income rose 3% to an all-time high of S$22.9 billion.
The board proposed a final ordinary dividend of S$0.66 per share for the fourth quarter, six cents higher than a year earlier, and declared an additional Capital Return dividend of S$0.15 per share for the period. As a result, fourth-quarter payouts total S$0.81 per share. For the full year, shareholders will receive S$3.06 per share—comprising S$2.46 of ordinary dividends and S$0.60 of Capital Return dividends—representing a 38% YoY increase. The board also signalled its intention to maintain quarterly Capital Return dividends of S$0.15 per share in FY2026 and FY2027, subject to conditions.
By business line, Consumer Banking/Wealth Management income increased 4% to S$10.5 billion, propelled by a 29% surge in wealth management fees as assets under management grew 19% in constant-currency terms to S$488 billion. Institutional Banking income slipped 3% to S$8.91 billion, with higher fee and treasury customer flows offset by margin compression. Markets trading income jumped 49% to S$1.37 billion, the best showing since 2021, aided by lower funding costs and favourable conditions across rates, equity derivatives and foreign exchange desks.
Key headwinds included a 12-basis-point contraction in group net interest margin to 2.01% and a 22-basis-point decline to 1.93% in the fourth quarter as Sora and Hibor rates fell. The group also absorbed specific allowances of S$854 million, equivalent to 19 basis points of loans, largely reflecting the downgrade of a watch-listed real-estate exposure. Introduction of the 15% global minimum tax lifted the effective tax charge, weighing on bottom-line growth.
Management highlighted several strategic priorities for the coming years: sustaining market-leading CASA deposit growth, extending wealth and treasury customer businesses, and maintaining quarterly Capital Return dividends through 2027. The bank also reaffirmed its commitment to deploy up to S$1 billion over a decade toward community support initiatives, having allocated S$100 million from 2025 earnings.
Chief Executive Tan Su Shan said the record pre-tax profit and 16.2% return on equity demonstrated the franchise’s resilience amid rate cuts and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. She noted that proactive balance-sheet hedging and strong deposit inflows underpinned performance, while fee and treasury income reached new highs. Looking ahead, Tan indicated that ongoing rate pressures and geopolitical volatility remain key challenges, but emphasised that DBS’s diversified income streams and robust capital position should provide a solid platform for 2026.
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