Jun 06, 2024

In Brief

Karl von Rohr: “The results of the first quarter of 2024 and last year show that DWS' strategy is working. Given the progress made and the growth achieved, DWS is on track to reach its financial targets for 2025.“
Stefan Hoops: “We have made a commitment to help shape the future of finance in the years ahead. We want to drive disruption and not be driven by it.“
Election of Oliver Behrens to the Supervisory Board
Proposed dividend: ordinary dividend of EUR 2.10 for each share and extraordinary dividend of EUR 4 for each share

For further information please contact:

Sebastian Krämer-Bach
+49 69 910 43330
sebastian.kraemer-bach@dws.com

Karsten Swoboda
+49 69 910 14941
karsten.swoboda@dws.com

DWS Group Annual General Meeting Votes on Election of Oliver Behrens to the Supervisory Board

At today's Annual General Meeting, the shareholders of DWS will vote on the following main agenda items: The appropriation of retained earnings including the distribution of an ordinary dividend of EUR 2.10 per share and an extraordinary dividend of EUR 4 per share, the election of Oliver Behrens to the Supervisory Board as well as the cancellation of existing capital authorisations, expiring in June 2025, and the replacing new capital authorisations. In addition, the election of the statutory auditor, group auditor and auditor for the sustainability reporting as well as an amendment of the Articles of Association concerning the composition of the Joint Committee are in particular on the agenda. The shareholders' meeting takes place virtually.

In their speeches to DWS shareholders, Karl von Rohr and Stefan Hoops emphasize, among other things, the following strategic aspects:

Karl von Rohr, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DWS: “The results of the first quarter of 2024 and last year show that DWS' strategy is working. Given the progress made and the growth achieved, DWS is on track to reach its financial targets for 2025. Along the way, the Supervisory Board will continue to support the Executive Board constructively and critically in implementing the strategy. From now on, this will be under the leadership of Oliver Behrens. I wish him every success.”

Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS, emphasised with regard to the priorities for DWS in the coming years: “We have the ambition to be one of the ‘top 5 in the top 5’, in other words, one of the top five international asset managers in the five largest economies. A key focus in that respect is to expand our foothold in Asia. Our extended strategic alliance with Nippon Life and other partnerships in Asia will help strengthen our position in Japan, China and India.

Europe will still be our home market, however. Now, more than ever, we want to establish DWS as the ‘gateway to Europe’. Our ambition: if an international customer wants to take advantage of the opportunities here, especially those offered by the European transformation, then we must be their first port of call.

And, last but not least, we have made a commitment to help shape the future of finance in the years ahead. Specifically, this means understanding and managing digital disruption in our industry better than the competition. This applies to both artificial intelligence and blockchain. We are approaching these issues diligently and purposefully because one thing is clear: we want to drive disruption and not be driven by it.”

Regarding the importance of the upcoming European elections, Stefan Hoops added: “Europe is not just our domestic market in terms of business. Europe is also our cultural home, representing our core values. It has become all the rage in recent years to view Europe as a behemoth paralyzed by regulatory zeal rather than as an economic and social opportunity. This plays into the hands of divisive forces that seek to destroy freedom. That is why the elections that have just begun are so important: nothing less is at stake than a new, positive European narrative – strengthening the peace and freedom project that is Europe as a geopolitical anchor. Reinforcing democratic, pro-European but, above all, diverse forces in the party spectrum is crucial in achieving this end.“

At https://group.dws.com/ir/annual-general-meeting/ you can find the agenda and other documents on the Annual General Meeting, as well as a link for the live broadcast including the speeches by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the CEO.

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 941bn of assets under management (as of 31 March 2024) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,600 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future.