Foreign income taxes for oil production decreased as a result of the lower oil price. The increased tax rate in the third quarter resulted from one-off effects caused by the integration of Ciba. The use of tax loss carryforwards led to increased tax expenses due to the derecognition of deferred tax assets. Furthermore, integration costs that were incurred in Switzerland could only be deducted with an income tax rate below the Group average.

In the previous year, the tax rate was reduced as a result of higher tax-free income.