Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1 Segment information

The Group Executive Board is the Group’s chief operating decision maker and reviews the results from a product-related as well as a geographical perspective. Bellevue Group focuses exclusively on the Asset Management business unit and reports one reportable segment. The segment consists of the operating business units Bellevue Asset Management and Bellevue Private Markets. The two business units are aggregated into one reportable segment as they have similar economic characteristics. The offering includes a broad-based range of investment funds as well as investment solutions for institutional, intermediary and private clients. Bellevue Asset Management has a clear focus on managing equity portfolios for selected sector and regional strategies, based on a fundamental and research-driven stock picking approach («bottom up»). A small part of the product range pursues a holistic asset management approach based on quantitative and experience-driven investment approaches with pronounced anti-cyclicality. Bellevue Private Markets specializes in developing exclusive investment opportunities in unlisted companies for its investor group. In addition, it acts as investment advisor for private equity funds. This represents a further diversification of the investment universe with low correlation to the capital markets. The two business units operate in similar regions. Group Management monitors the results of the two business units both on a consolidated basis and separately.

The geographical breakdown of operating income is as follows:

Non-current assets for this purpose consist of property and equipment as well as goodwill and other intangible assets:

2 Details on the consolidated income statement

2.1 Revenues from asset management services

Management fees are generated from asset management mandates with listed investment companies, regulated funds in various countries, private equity funds or institutional counterparties. The fees are mostly collected on a monthly basis.

Various funds and mandates as well as the exclusive investment opportunities of the investor group include performance fees. These are only taken into account when a formal claim exists and Bellevue Group has fulfilled its performance obligation. The definitions are set out in the respective legal documents and can be summarized as follows:

• Regulated funds: after the end of the calendar year
• Private equity funds: depending on the partnership agreement – in the case of distributions or closure of the fund
• Investment group: in the case of exits of investments
• Mandates: individual – quarterly or yearly

Other commission income includes transaction-related fees.

2.2 Net other income

2.3 Personnel expenses

The compensation system for Bellevue Group employees is conceived to motivate employees at all operating units to do excellent work. It is a compensation model based on «personal ownership» and merit system principles. In setting fixed salaries, a restrained policy prevails from a business point of view. On the other hand, variable compensation is offered under an attractive ownership-oriented profit-sharing plan. This profit-sharing plan is tied directly to Bellevue Group’s operating results. Moreover, part of this bonus is paid in the form of restricted stock awards and shares of in-house products. This system is conducive to a culture of high performance with a long-term horizon.

The basis for calculating Bellevue Group’s variable compensation pool is adjusted consolidated earnings before taxes.

A fixed portion of the adjusted Group profit before taxes is allocated to the employees (total pool of variable compensation). Due to the direct link between the Group’s results and the total pool of variable compensation, there is a mechanism in place to ensure that variable compensation is commensurate with the Group’s operating performance (variabilization of profit-sharing).

2.4 Operating expenses

2.5 Depreciation and amortization

2.6 Valuation adjustments and provisions

2.7 Tax

2.7.1 Tax expenses

2.7.2 Deferred tax assets

The non-capitalized loss carryforwards originate mainly from Swiss subsidiaries. It is uncertain whether there will be an income tax benefit for Bellevue Group. Based on this fact, no deferred tax asset was capitalized.

2.7.3 Deferred tax liabilities

3 Details on the consolidated balance sheet

3.1 Financial assets and financial liabilities

3.1.1 Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of the other financial instruments (incl. time deposits of CHF 19.2 mn, previous period: 12.2 mn), which are measured at amortized cost, do not differ significantly from their book value and are mainly short-term.

3.1.2 Valuation methods of financial instruments

No transfer between levels of the fair value hierarchy took place in 2024 or in the previous period.

Level 1 instruments

If a financial instrument is traded in an active market, its fair value is based on listed market prices. In the fair value hierarchy prescribed in IFRS 13, this type of financial instrument is classified as a level 1 instrument. The fair value of these positions corresponds to the current price (e.g. settlement price or closing price) multiplied by the number of units of the financial instruments held.

Level 2 instruments

If there is no active market, the fair value is determined on the basis of valuation models or other generally accepted valuation methods. The instruments categorised as Level 2 are regulated investment funds. These funds publish a daily net asset value (NAV), but there is no active market for the trading of fund units in these investment funds. The valuation of the single fund units is based on the published NAVs. The valuation of these published NAVs is mainly determined by the listed investments held by the investment funds and therefore by parameters that are directly or indirectly observable on the market.

Level 3 instruments

If at least one significant input cannot be observed directly or indirectly in the market, the instrument is classified as a level 3 instrument. These instruments include private-equity funds. The fair value of private equity funds is determined based on the last available net asset values, taking into account any value adjustments according to own assessment.

3.1.3 Level 3 financial instruments

Key assumptions for the valuation of level 3 financial instruments vary from investment to investment. The following table shows the effect on the valuation when these assumptions are changed:

3.1.4 Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are used exclusively for economic hedging purposes and not as speculative investments. However, if derivatives do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, they are classified as «Financial investments» and recognized at fair value through profit or loss for financial reporting purposes.

3.2 Trade and other receivables

3.3 Financial investments

3.4 Other assets

3.5 Property and equipment

Additions to the cost of the capitalized right of use assets amounted to CHF 18.1 million in 2024 and relate to the relocation to Zurich. In accordance with IFRS, Bellevue recognised the right of use asset and the corresponding lease liability at the inception of the lease. In addition, other fixed assets with a total value of CHF 4.2 million were capitalized in connection with the fit-out and furnishing of the new buildings. Of this amount, CHF 0.4 million relates to furniture and CHF 3.8 million to leasehold improvements. Due to the relocation, an impairment of CHF 0.5 million was also required on existing other fixed assets. The right of use assets recognised as at 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 mainly consist of right-of-use assets for properties.

3.6 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Bellevue Group basically examines the value of the goodwill annually, based on the estimated recoverable amount that can be obtained per each single cash-generating unit, or group of such units (depending on allocation). If events or a change of circumstances indicate a possible impairment, the test is carried out more frequently.

The recoverable amount is determined to be the value-in-use and is calculated using the discounted cash flow method. The projected free cash flows for the respective cash-generating units are estimated based on five-year financial plans. The business plans approved by management serve as the basis for these estimates of projected free cash flows. These cash flows are discounted to present value.

The following key parameters and their single components have been taken into account in the discounted cash flow method:

• Income on the average assets under management and the expected return on assets (management and performance fees)
• Transaction-related income
• Discount rate

An impairment test was carried out for all CGUs at the end of December 2024. The discount rate used in these calculations was between 9.9% and 12% (31.12.2023: 12.3%) and the assumed growth rate was 1% (31.12.2023: 1.5%).

As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, Bellevue Group did not identify any impairment. The goodwill as of December 31, 2024 is attributable to the CGU-groups Bellevue Asset Management (Bellevue Asset Management AG, CHF 23.8 mn and Bellevue Asset Management (Deutschland) GmbH, CHF 10.8 mn) and Bellevue Private Markets (CHF 5.8 mn).

At the time of preparation of the consolidated financial statement, Bellevue Group’s management does not assume that a reasonably possible change in a parameter underlying the impairment test would lead to a goodwill impairment.

The other intangible assets are amortized over a period of 5 to 15 years and are included in the impairment test described under «Goodwill» (see above).

As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, no impairment was recognized in the review of the residual values. The discount rate used for this purpose was 13.5% (December 31, 2023: between 13.6% and 13.8%) and the applied growth rate between 1% and 2% (December 31, 2023: between 1% and 2%).

3.7 Trade and other payables

3.8 Lease liabilities

Additions to lease liabilities in the 2024 financial year amount to CHF 18.1 million and relate to the relocation to Zurich. Bellevue recognised the right of use asset and the corresponding lease liability in accordance with IFRS at the inception of the lease.

3.9 Employee benefit plans

There are pension plans for most of the employees at Bellevue Group. These plans provide benefits in the event of death, disability, retirement or termination of employment. There were no unfunded liabilities due to employee pension plans as at the balance sheet date (previous year: no liabilities either). In Switzerland, pension contributions are paid equally by the employer and the employee. The foundation board is composed of an equal number of employee and employer representatives. According to Swiss law and the pension regulations, foundation boards are obliged to act solely in the interest of the foundation and its beneficiaries (active workforce and recipients of pensions). Hence, the employer cannot single-handedly determine the benefits and the funding; all resolutions have to be agreed on by both sides. The members of the foundation board are responsible for defining the investment strategy, for deciding on amendments to the pension regulations, and in particular for determining the funding of the pension benefits.

In the events of death and disability, pension benefits are based on the insured salary. In the event of old age, they are based on pension assets. At the time of retirement, insured persons can choose between a life annuity, which includes a prospective spouse pension, and a lump sum payment. Apart from retirement benefits, pension benefits also include disability and surviving spouse or partner pensions. Furthermore, insured persons can improve their pension situation up to the regulatory maximum by paying in additional amounts, or withdraw money early to acquire property that they occupy themselves. At the time of termination of an employment contract, the vested benefits will be transferred to the pension plan of the new employer or a vested benefits scheme. This type of benefit can result in pension payments fluctuating considerably from year to year.

When determining the benefits, the minimum requirements of the Federal Act on Occupational Old Age, Survivors’ and Invalidity Pension Provision (OPA) and its implementing provisions must be considered. The LOB defines minimum insured salary and minimum retirement assets. The Federal Council determines the minimum interest on these minimum retirement assets at least every two years. In 2024, it amounts to 1.25% (previous year: 1.25%).

Due to the nature of the pension plans and the provisions of the OPA, the employer is exposed to actuarial risks. The risks of death, disability and longevity are largely covered by an insurance policy. The major remaining risks include investment risk, interest risk and the risk of the insurer adjusting the premiums.

All employer and employee contributions are determined by the foundation board. The employer is to bear a minimum of 50% of the required contributions. In the case of underfunding, both employer and employee are entitled to pay in amounts to close the funding gap.

As at December 31, 2023 the pension plan had a surplus that had not been fully recognized, on the basis that future economic benefit is only available to the Company in the form of a reduction in future contributions of CHF 1.3 mn and a cash refund of the employer contribution reserves of CHF 0.8 mn.

The plan assets allocation as at December 31, 2024, as well as at December 31, 2023, do not include shares of Bellevue Group AG. The foundation board issues investment guidelines for the investment of plan assets. These guidelines include tactical asset allocation and benchmarks for comparing the results with a general investment universe. The plan assets are well diversified. In terms of diversification and security, the Swiss pension plan is subject to the provisions of the OPA. As a rule, bonds receive at least a rating of A.

The foundation board regularly reviews the selected investment strategy as to whether it meets the requirements of the pension plan and whether the risk budget is in line with the demographic structure. Adherence to investment guidelines as well as results achieved by investment advisors are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, an external consultancy periodically examines the investment strategy with regard to whether it is effective and appropriate.

Through its defined benefit pension plan, the Company is exposed to a number of risks. These risks are shared between the employer, employees and the provider of the pension fund as the retirement benefits are currently financed over an insurance contract. The calculation of the defined benefit obligation allows for this risk sharing by reducing the defined benefit obligation related to employees. Further, the provider determines the level of conversion rates. Hence, the defined benefit obligation is based on the assumption that future conversion rates will change in line with the changes in future interest rates.

As at December 31, 2023, the retirement age for women was adjusted from 64 to 65 (due to a revision of the «Old Age and Survivors Insurance»). These adjustment led to a plan amendment in the 2023 financial year and as a consequence in a past service cost loss of CHF 0.1 mn.

Defined-benefit obligations are distributed as follows:

The maturity of the obligation is 16.4 years as at December 31, 2024 (previous year: 16.5 years). The expected employer’s contributions for 2025 are estimated at CHF 1.8 mn.

Changes to the present value of a defined-benefit obligation

The most important factors influencing the development of pension obligations are assumed interest rate, salary development, pension index and development of life expectancy.

3.10 Share capital

At the Annual General Meeting on March 21, 2023, the article on conditional capital was removed from the Articles of Association. As at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024  there was neither conditional nor authorized capital nor a capital band.

3.11 Treasury shares