[ S U R V E Y | A L G O R I T H M I C T R A D I N G ]
UBS
UBS’ s overall average score in this year’ s survey was 5.70, which lands 24 basis points below the survey average of 5.94 and represents a marginal decrease of 0.11 from 2025. Year-onyear performance in 2026 was up across four key categories, including algo monitoring( 0.06) and cost( 0.04). Decreases were relatively marginal, with execution consistency being the most notable, declining by-0.34.
UBS’ highest scores were recorded in speed( 5.99), cost( 5.89) and increasing trader productivity( 5.84). On the lower end of the scale was customisation features( 5.52), followed by customer support and execution consulting, both scoring 5.55.
When compared against the category benchmarks, UBS experienced below average scores across all aspects of service, most notably around customer support(-0.46) as well as reduced market impact, execution consistency and algo monitoring, all landing-0.28 short of the category average. Primary service areas such as cost and speed were closer in line with peer benchmarks and scores overall were in line with the other bulge bracket providers.
This year, UBS received 89 responses, down from 103 responses received in 2025. Overall, this places the broker third in terms of the total number of submissions received from long-only managers. Over 40 % of responding traders represented large firms with over $ 50 billion in AUM, followed by mid-sized firms managing between $ 10 and $ 50 billion in assets at 20 %. Overall, 12 % of traders stated they were looking to use additional algo providers within the next year. The UK( 18 %) and Europe( 51 %) collectively represented 69 % of the respondents, with the remainder split across North America( 24 %), Asia-Pacific( 6 %) and Africa and the Middle East( 2 %). The most commonly used performance measurement metrics were VWAP TCA and implementation shortfall TCA.
Sample feedback from respondents included the following:
• Great passive algos
• Excellent venue analytics
• Calls for better block finding in dark venues and higher off-market crossing, such as SIs
• Demand for additional data sharing on order status / fill details via FIX
UBS RATINGS FOR ALGORITHMIC PERFORMANCE
Increased trader productivity |
Reduced market impact |
Execution consistency |
Cost Speed Anonymity Price improvement Customisation |
5.84 5.69 5.64 5.89 5.99 5.78 5.60 5.52
Ease of use |
Order routing logic / analysis |
Customer support |
Execution consulting |
Dark pool access |
Flexibility and sophistication of SOR |
Algo monitoring |
Average score |
5.81 5.56 5.55 5.55 5.81 5.72 5.59 5.70
KEY STATS Overall Outperformer: NO Category Outperformer: NO
5.99 Highest score( Speed) |
5.52
Lowest score( Customisation features)
|
0.06
Most improved( Algo monitoring)
|
-0.34
Least improved( Execution consistency)
|
78 // TheTRADE // Q1 2026 |
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