Publications

Global Auto Executives see a stabilized industry, new investment and growth over the next five years, But profitability is still a concern, says KPMG  survey. Senior executives continue to predict an increase in M&A activity driven primarily by technology requirements and overcapacity.

Date: 01/01/2010 | Size: 2554,67kB

How do laws come into existence? What causes new regulatory actions/activities? Will we be able to create regulations in the future that will prevent errors and fraud? What are the costs, advantages and significance of regulations? The publication, which includes contributions from prominent guest authors, clarifies the nature of regulation. It is also meant to stimulate discussion on why regulation is needed.

Date: 03/24/2009 | Size: 2913,52kB

A global survey by KPMG on personal income taxation shows that between 2003 and 2008, maximum tax rates were cut in 33 of 87 countries. Europe's tax rates on personal income remain the highest, while Latin America's are the lowest. In an international comparison, Switzerland (based on the City of Zurich) is in the upper-middle tier yet offers a coherent tax policy in terms of its taxation of individuals and corporations. The adoption of so-called flat-tax models is also becoming more and more widespread.

Date: 11/13/2008 | Size: 1484,28kB

In Switzerland there are still considerable differences in reporting between international companies and mid-sized companies. The KPMG International Survey on Corporate Responsibility Reporting is the most comprehensive conducted on this subject to date.

Date: 10/27/2008 | Size: 3127,07kB

For the first time, the most attractive European business location as regards taxation is Montenegro with 9 percent. The international comparison of corporate tax rates in 2008 again showed Switzerland is significantly improving its position. More and more states are changing over from taxing company profits, preferring instead to put the taxation of sales at the heart of their budget planning. (Swiss survey in German)

Date: 09/10/2008 | Size: 213,05kB

60 percent of fund managers worldwide believe that they have lost investor confidence as a result of the subprime crisis. The reason is clear; investors are less keen to invest in complex investment products than are the fund managers working for them. Approximately half of all fund managers have investments in private equity and asset-backed securities and one-third in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs).

Date: 07/01/2008 | Size: 2069,44kB

The US is still the leading destination for direct investment from abroad. However, within five years, China will have nudged the US from the top spot and India is set to post the largest growth in terms of corporate investment during this period. In future, China and Germany will have the greatest significance for Switzerland.

Date: 06/16/2008 | Size: 169,81kB

Aviation, healthcare, tourism, transport, oil and gas and the financial services sector all feature in the "danger zone" in a report on climate change risks from KPMG - meaning that they score highly on the risks which face them yet score poorly in terms of their preparedness to face these risks.

Date: 04/03/2008 | Size: 2164,47kB

Audit, Tax and Advisory - in addition to the specialist knowledge and skills we provide - these services always have an ethical background and moral viewpoint that also must be considered. By means of a glossary, an historical overview and articles based on real-life situations, we aim to do our part to promote the understanding of business ethics. (The publication is also available in German.)

Date: 02/28/2008 | Size: 670,82kB

Ever-increasing regulatory demands, the push to open up new markets, globalization pressure, an active M&A environment, problems with succession planning and setting up appropriate risk management are just a few of the challenges and trends that face mid-sized Swiss companies. A new study from KPMG takes a closer look at key market segments

Date: 01/01/2008 | Size: 2153,25kB

Financial projections are the basis for all strategic financing decisions. The lion's share of the companies surveyed have a strategic financial plan. There are, however, still companies who have yet to develop a sound financial strategy. Of the 16 percent of companies that do not plan strategically, 50 percent reported that long-term planning was simply not possible.

Date: 01/01/2008 | Size: 900,50kB

Cyprus, Ireland, and Switzerland are the top three countries in a league table of European tax systems, compiled by KPMG International, in which major business organizations across Europe assessed the attractiveness of their domestic tax regimes. All three countries were rated highly for their combination of consistency in interpreting tax legislation, stability in resisting frequent changes to tax laws, and comparatively low tax rate.

Date: 12/19/2007 | Size: 32,33kB

Amidst all the turmoil affecting the financial markets, one specific sector of the banking industry stands unperturbed, claims research out today: the global private banking and wealth management sector.

Date: 12/10/2007 | Size: 2088,71kB

Companies are costing shareholders money - losing around six percent of their share price - as a result of their inability to provide accurate forecasts, claims research out today. Supply and demand, sales growth and financial estimates are all among the areas which companies provide forecasts on. The research - from the Advisory practice of KPMG - shows that the average forecasting discrepancy comes in at 13 percent.

Date: 11/08/2007 | Size: 1510,19kB

According to the current legal situation, 19 of 24 cantonal banks are wholly or partly exempt from the income and capital tax. This special tax treatment is not reasoned by the banks ownership structures, the specific business or the customer catchment area. The legal form is only the distinguishing feature between the exempt and non-exempt cantonal banks from the direct federal tax. As part of a study, KPMG's Financial Services Tax has elicit the basis for the current fiscal inequality among the cantonal and in comparison with the other Swiss banks, and quantified the financial impact, which could result in a cancellation of the special tax status of certain cantonal banks.
(Publication in German)

Date: 10/30/2007 | Size: 1803,50kB

Worldwide, 40 percent of fund managers have diversified into long only funds and 30 percent into alternatives in the last three years, causing convergence in investment strategies used in different sectors in their industry and in cash terms alternatives have attracted larger sums according to a new study published today by KPMG International and CREATE-Research.

Date: 10/30/2007 | Size: 626,25kB

Growth, performance and governance are key issues for CEOs of insurance companies around the world. This edition of frontiers in finance is solely devoted to the insurance sector and is structured around these three key issues. Topics covered include emerging markets, outsourcing and offshoring, climate change and economic capital models and many more...

Date: 09/01/2007 | Size: 848,92kB

KPMGs International 2007 thought leadership report on global management. The report examines the generational change affecting the customer base and employees of the funds management industry. The research includes a survey of 125 funds management businesses in 17 countries controlling 18 percent of global funds under management.

Date: 06/01/2007 | Size: 1622,18kB

KPMG on May 16, 2007 announced results of a survey designed to identify key change drivers for the life insurance industry. Unveiled at the Institute of Economic Affairs' 10th Anniversary Conference in London, the findings reveal that over 50% of the top UK life insurance companies feel cost reduction will be the key factor motivating change for the next two years, jumping ahead of structural organization and operational efficiency. Changes to channel and distribution methods was cited as second most important. Of interest, both outsourcing and offshoring ranked last as both historical and future drivers of change.

Date: 05/18/2007 | Size: 947,26kB

The publication intends to provide an overview of the key changes in company law, as well as the latest developments in legal practice. In a series of concise articles the reader is introduced to the latest changes and most important decisions of the federal court in the areas of Company Law, Financial Markets, Capital Markets, Intellectual Property Law, Competition Law, Employment and Technology Law.
The publication is available in German, French and English from Schulthess Verlag.

Date: 04/04/2007 | Size: 185,15kB

Two-thirds of companies set themselves cost reduction targets of no more than 3 percent per year. Even these limited cost savings are proving difficult to achieve, with only a disappointing 8 percent actually reaching or exceeding their targets. To achieve a true cost advantage, a company needs to look at lowering costs across its whole business model and be prepared to make significant changes to the organization or its supply chain.

Date: 02/14/2007 | Size: 159,88kB

The strong rise and volatility of energy and commodity prices are putting pressure on the profitability of numerous companies. Despite this, many of them are refusing to hedge the risk by putting in place appropriate tools. Most companies are contenting themselves with passing prices on to the consumer. These are the findings of a broad study by KPMG.

Date: 01/23/2007 | Size: 1713,37kB

The results reveal tax departments are broadly aware of the new pressures they face, but are struggling to communicate their need for the resources to deal with shorter deadlines and demands for more and better information. Perhaps more importantly, they show departments keen to add value to their corporations through astute and skillful tax management, but lacking the time or opportunity to do so.

Date: 01/01/2007 | Size: 1146,99kB

A recent study published by KPMG shows that many major organizations worldwide are unable to identify the benefits they derive from their outsourcing contracts. Furthermore, forty-two percent of all outsourcing contracts are not supported by a strategic measurement system. However, the study conducted by KPMG International documents that outsourcing has become a generally accepted business practice, which will be used increasingly in the future.

Date: 01/01/2007 | Size: 1822,01kB

In their efforts to reduce costs and improve profitability, companies have widened their focus to tap potential cost savings and efficiency improvements also in support or back-office functions. Concepts like shared services and outsourcing continue to gain popularity, promising significant support function cost reduction of fifteen to twenty percent, or more. However, companies intending to implement such concepts should remain realistic and be aware of the many challenges and significant organizational changes necessary.

Date: 01/01/2007 | Size: 480,83kB

The annual study carried out by KPMG on the development of the rates of corporate taxation in over ninety countries shows once again that Switzerland has maintained a favorable position in the face of tough international competition.  Switzerland leads the way by a high margin in the field of value added tax.

Date: 01/01/2007 | Size: 1213,89kB

We are pleased to introduce to you the new Global TS white paper "The Determinants of M&A Success: What Factors Contribute to Deal Success?" The paper illustrates the statistical analysis that was conducted to determine how various deal factors are correlated with deal success over a twelve and twenty-four month period after the announcement of a deal.

Date: 01/01/2007 | Size: 724,92kB

According to a new study of KPMG involving 86 nations, a country can gain considerable competitive advantages over its economic rivals due to low corporate tax rates, which are also tied to above-average growth. Switzerland is in 13th position and therefore ranked in the middle of the international field. (Study in German / English)

Date: 11/01/2006 | Size: 749,63kB