ABB Ltd

ABB has announced the launch of Infinitus, which it describes as the industry's first source-to-rack direct current portfolio for AI data centers, designed for architecture flexibility. The portfolio is built around ABB's Infinitus solid-state transformer technology and spans five building blocks: medium voltage powertrains, DC sources and power quality, DC power distribution, DC power protection, and cooling optimization. ABB estimates that approximately 25-40% of new data center capacity installed in 2030 could use DC distribution, as next-generation AI chips are expected to draw 1 MW per rack and beyond, up from today's almost 200 kW. A recent BCG / ABB report calculated that DC distribution delivers energy efficiency gains of more than 5%; for a 500 MW data center, a 5% gain can mean 25 MW more power for revenue-generating IT loads and more than US $300 million in potential additional revenue per year. Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB's Electrification business area, said the company has pioneered DC technology for more than 25 years and is working with chipmakers, hyperscale customers, supply partners and industry bodies to set standards for high-efficiency DC architectures. ABB said a number of main components will be produced in the next 12 months, with the first DC-native facilities using the complete Infinitus portfolio expected to be installed and operational within two to three years, extending its collaboration with NVIDIA announced in October 2025 on 800 VDC power architectures for gigawatt-scale AI facilities.

ABB has launched AquaMaster+, a digital platform for smart water network management designed to help water utilities in India monitor, analyze and manage their networks, prevent pipeline water losses and optimize operations. The integrated platform combines hardware, advanced software capabilities and cloud-based decision-making tools, and is available to water companies using ABB's AquaMaster4 flowmeters or as a standalone software solution that can be integrated into existing systems. The launch builds on ABB's AquaMaster electromagnetic flowmeters, which mark 20 years in India, growing from a first installation in Bengaluru to nearly 2,000 units across 15 cities in eight states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha and Delhi, with Bengaluru alone running some 500 units. AquaMaster+ offers fleet-level insights with GIS mapping as well as device insights covering flow and pressure shifts, device diagnostics and remote configuration, which improves response times and reduces travel costs. Raghu Kumar NV, Global Product Manager in ABB's Measurement & Analytics division, said the platform connects water utilities to crucial flow measurement insights to help the water sector outrun, leaner and cleaner.

ABB, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, has published a new report arguing that direct current technology is moving from the periphery to the center of industrial, commercial, and digital infrastructure, with decisions in the next two to three years determining who shapes the transition. The report, titled The Strategic Case for Hybrid AC/DC Power, emphasizes that the future of power distribution is not an either-or choice between AC and DC but a hybrid system, with DC playing an increasingly important role within facilities where major energy sources and loads, such as solar PV, batteries, electric vehicles, and AI data centers, already operate natively on DC. It identifies AI data centers as one of the most immediate drivers, noting that 800 VDC distribution is emerging as the defining architecture for next-generation AI infrastructure, enabling operators to maximize compute capacity within constrained grid connections. The report also highlights opportunities in manufacturing, commercial buildings, and other sectors, where DC systems can reduce conversion losses and improve integration of renewables and storage.

ABB has introduced new ACS580, ACH580 and ACQ580 drives with IP66/Type 4X protection, designed for Australia's harshest industrial environments. The three drive families cater to specific sectors: ACS580 for food and beverage, ACH580 for HVACR, and ACQ580 for water and wastewater applications. These drives eliminate the need for costly protective enclosures and dedicated electrical rooms, reducing installation costs and complexity. They feature coated circuit boards, integrated EMC C2 filtering, a built-in DC choke, and Safe Torque Off, with optional Bluetooth-enabled control panels for easier commissioning. The range covers power ratings from 5.5 kW to 22 kW, and ABB emphasizes that IP66 ratings only cover dust and water ingress, not UV, corrosion, or chemical resistance, which must be assessed separately.

Wipro Limited has renewed its long-standing Digital Workplace Services contract with ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, to deliver and enhance AI-enabled workplace services for ABB's global operations. The engagement, powered by Wipro Intelligence™, will modernize ABB's digital workplace with AI-led capabilities including GenAI-powered self-service, virtual agents, auto-remediation, and AI-assisted dispatch, while optimizing device lifecycle management and strengthening endpoint security. Ana Jauregui, Head of Consumer Experience at ABB, emphasized the criticality of reliability, security, and user experience, while Madhavan R, Managing Director & Country Head of Switzerland at Wipro, highlighted the enduring partnership and shared commitment to innovation. This expanded engagement reinforces Wipro's presence in the industrial and manufacturing sector and was included in Wipro's financial results announcement dated April 16, 2026.

MarketsandMarkets projects the EV charging station market will grow from USD 38.55 billion in 2026 to USD 120.85 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 17.7%. The expansion is driven by OEM-led investments from Tesla, Rivian, and Hyundai, along with public and private capital from players such as ChargePoint and BP Pulse. Advancements in ultra-fast DC charging of 150 to 350 kilowatts are aligning with OEM migration toward 800-volt and 1,000-volt vehicle platforms. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in 2026, with China projected to hold the largest share globally. Key players include ABB, BYD, ChargePoint, Tesla, and Siemens.

Krung Thai Asset Management Public Company Limited, or KTAM, is offering the KTAM Smart Grid Equity Fund, or KT-GRID, for sale from 13 to 19 August 2026 to invest in smart grid businesses supported by the growth of AI and data centres worldwide. Ms Chawinda Hanrattanakul, Managing Director of KTAM, said that traditional power transmission systems can no longer support the sharp rise in electricity demand. In the United States, AI-era data centres account for as much as 50% of electricity demand growth. The KT-GRID fund has a risk level of 6 and focuses on investing in the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund, the master fund that invests in companies involved in smart grid systems and electricity infrastructure. The master fund selects securities with at least 80% of revenue directly from smart grid businesses and another 20% from diversified businesses within the index weight. Examples of securities held by the master fund include Eaton Corporation, Schneider Electric and ABB. KTAM expects global investment in power grids to grow by an average of 5% per year through 2035.

Vale and ABB have entered into a strategic partnership to develop automation, digitalisation and integrated IT/OT technology solutions for iron ore processing operations in Brazil. The agreement follows their work together at Vale's Conceição II Model Plant in Itabira, Minas Gerais, the company's first high-tech and AI-enabled iron ore facility, and the companies intend to replicate the technology systems implemented there across multiple Vale iron ore plants in Brazil. Since implementing these digital solutions at Conceição II, Vale reports productivity has risen by 25%, production of premium ore for direct reduction has increased by 40%, and iron losses in tailings have fallen by 26%. The Conceição II Model Plant, inaugurated in June 2026, is a central project within Vale's Mining of the Future strategy, with ABB serving as consultant, technology provider and systems integrator. Vale operations vice-president Carlos Medeiros said the project has shown that new technologies such as artificial intelligence improve employee safety and increase productivity, operational efficiency and quality in mining.

ABB has announced a strategic partnership and minority investment in LevelTen Energy, the largest clean energy marketplace worldwide. The collaboration aims to enhance ABB's ability to support industrial and commercial customers in securing long-term, affordable clean energy by integrating LevelTen's transaction platform with ABB's expertise in electrification and energy management. This move reflects ABB's commitment to working with innovative startups to expand its clean energy solutions and accelerate its energy and carbon advisory services.

Rotork PLC reported first-half 2026 adjusted operating margin of 22.4%, up 60 basis points on an organic constant currency basis, with adjusted operating profit rising 4.1% to GBP82 million. Revenue reached GBP367 million, up 1.3% organically, while orders fell 4% to GBP372 million, dragged by an 8.4% decline in the oil and gas division. The CPI division delivered 16% revenue growth, and Rotork Service grew to 24% of group sales. The company declared an interim dividend of 3p per share, up 1.7%, and noted the proposed cash acquisition by ABB at 506p per share, a 73% premium to the undisturbed price.

The World AI Conference 2026 witnessed physical AI scaling from concept into reality. Physical AI models such as Kunlun Wanwei Matrix-Game 3.5, Suochen Technology's world physics model, and WeRide WITT made their debuts, with industrial robotic arms, humanoid robots, and autonomous driving emerging as the three core application scenarios. ABB Group Senior Vice President Han Chen noted that physical AI has already been applied in dozens of cases in logistics and 3C electronics. Joyson Electronics and Mech-Mind unveiled full-stack solutions spanning dexterous hands to embodied intelligence brains. World action models that underpin application deployment became a technology bellwether, with Galaxy Universal and Riemann Dynamics Robotics releasing the WAM-TTT and Riemann-1.0 models respectively. Meanwhile, demand surged for motion capture suits, tactile gloves, and other devices used to collect real-world data.

The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund, trading as GRID, has returned 34% over the past year by concentrating 60% of its portfolio in industrial equipment makers tied to the AI power buildout, a segment broad utility ETFs largely miss. The fund holds 128 stocks and roughly $7.65 billion in net assets, with top holdings Eaton and ABB each at about 8%, while a 4% position in Quanta Services surged 73% over the past year and contributed more to performance than any anchor holding. GRID carries a 0.56% expense ratio, a beta of 1.26, a thin 0.8% dividend yield, and negative dividend growth, making it a growth bet on grid modernization rather than an income play. Institutional buyers have added positions, including a $14.6 million buy by Adams Wealth Management and a $10.7 million initial stake from BFI Infinity, though short interest spiked 289% month over month in April 2026, signaling some skepticism after the run.

Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire psychedelic drugmaker AtaiBeckley for $6.75 per share in upfront cash, valuing the deal at approximately $2.8 billion, plus up to $2.50 per share in contingent value rights tied to clinical and regulatory milestones. In other notable deals this week, Dassault Systèmes is in discussions to acquire drug trial software maker ArisGlobal from Nordic Capital for about $2 billion, though talks are ongoing and may not result in a deal. ABB Ltd. agreed to acquire Rotork for £5.03 per share in cash, a 60% premium to the company's three-month average share price, valuing the company at about £4.1 billion. A consortium led by KKR and Energy Capital Partners raised its takeover proposal for Irish energy distributor DCC to £67.97 per share, valuing the company at £5.81 billion, or approximately $7.86 billion. Stripe and Advent International have reportedly made a joint offer to acquire PayPal for $60.50 per share, in a deal that would value the payments company at more than $53 billion, though PayPal's board views the bid as inadequate. Uber Technologies launched a public takeover offer for Germany's Delivery Hero, valuing the food delivery company at about $14.8 billion in equity value. Kimbell Royalty Partners agreed to acquire oil and gas royalty interests from affiliated sellers for approximately $215.4 million, consisting of $74.9 million in cash and 9.5 million newly issued common units. Zoetis announced an agreement to acquire VitalRADS, a Texas-based provider of veterinary imaging services.

ABB Ltd reported a 7% rise in second-quarter net income to $1.23 billion, while orders surged 30% to $12.042 billion, prompting the Swiss technology group to raise its full-year 2026 revenue forecast. Operational EBITA grew 20% to $1.93 billion, representing a margin of 20.2% of operational revenues, and revenues climbed 14% to $9.475 billion. CEO Morten Wierod said the quarter reflects ABB's strength at the core of electrification and automation megatrends, and the acquisition of Rotork is expected to create further value by expanding the automation portfolio. For the third quarter, ABB projects low- to mid-teens comparable revenue growth, and for full-year 2026 it now anticipates low double-digit to low-teens comparable revenue growth, up from its prior expectation of high single-digit to low double-digit growth. The operational EBITA margin is still expected to improve year-on-year, even excluding a real estate gain realized in the first quarter of 2026.

The London stock market closed higher, with the FTSE 100 rebounding. Amid a global sell-off in tech stocks, consumer staples were bought, sending the FTSE 350 Personal Goods index up 2.61%, the Beverages index up 2.36%, and the Retail index up 1.92%. Pharmaceutical giant GSK rose 2.1%, while AstraZeneca gained 0.5%. Automation solutions firm Rotork surged 66.8% after Swiss heavy electrical equipment giant ABB announced its acquisition. European equity markets rose for a third straight session, with the STOXX Europe 600 up 0.16%. The Basic Resources index fell 1.38%, while the Media index climbed 1.43%. Dutch firm ASML Holding rose 3.2%, but STMicroelectronics fell 4.9% and BE Semiconductor dropped 3.2%. Norway's Telenor tumbled 11.6% after lowering its full-year outlook. In eurozone bond markets, the German 10-year yield rose 3 basis points to 3.135%, its highest since May 20. The German-US 10-year yield spread narrowed to 143 basis points. In currencies, the euro traded at 1.1446 dollars, and the dollar at 162.42 yen.

ABB has made a strategic minority investment in UK-based startup Gridcog to accelerate advanced modeling for renewable generation, storage, industrial microgrids, and energy-as-a-service solutions. The partnership combines Gridcog's software platform with ABB's advisory and engineering services to help commercial and industrial customers design, compare, and validate complex energy projects faster, with clear visibility on both financial performance and carbon impact. Gridcog's platform enables rapid scenario modeling across multiple energy markets, supporting data-driven net-zero roadmaps. ABB is leading this funding round, joined by AXPO, DNV, and Verbund Ventures, while Albion and Clean Energy Finance Corporation remain key shareholders. The investment was made through ABB Electrification Ventures, which has now invested more than 110 million dollars in 16 startups since 2021.

The Middle East EV Charging Management Software market is valued at USD 1.2 billion and is experiencing robust growth driven by increasing electric vehicle adoption, government sustainability initiatives, and rising demand for efficient charging infrastructure. Key markets include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, with the UAE leading due to ambitious sustainability goals and significant EV infrastructure investments. Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its network as part of Vision 2030, while Israel's tech-savvy population and governmental support for green technologies bolster its market presence. The market features a dynamic mix of regional and international players such as ChargePoint, Inc., EVBox B.V., Siemens AG, and ABB Ltd., contributing to innovation and expansion. Growth drivers include a forecast of over 120,000 EVs in the region, a 20% year-on-year increase, and Saudi Arabia's allocation of USD 2 billion for 1,200 charging stations by 2025, though challenges remain with high initial investment costs and limited public charging infrastructure of only 3,000 points across the region.

A major renewable energy developer and a leading independent asset manager have joined to support a portfolio of battery energy storage systems in Poland, part of the continuing buildout of new power infrastructure across Europe. Green Capital S.A. and Prime Capital AG signed agreements to jointly hold a 300-MW/1,200-MWh BESS portfolio, with Prime Capital acquiring a 50% stake in one advanced-stage project now under construction and an agreement for a second large-scale project expected by year-end. Both projects have 17-year capacity market contracts, and the estimated capital expenditure for the portfolio is approximately $230 million. ABB announced a $200 million investment across Europe to expand medium-voltage manufacturing capabilities, including a new $100 million facility in Dalmine, Italy, and capacity expansion projects in Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Norway, and Poland. Nofar Energy plans to install 280 MW/860 MWh of battery energy storage systems at two solar parks in Romania, representing an investment of more than $93 million. Repono AB, Gunvor Group, and enspired GmbH are deploying a 202-MW/404-MWh BESS project in Arges County, Romania, one of the largest standalone installations in southeastern Europe. Neoen started construction of the 25-MW/100-MWh Pasian di Prato Battery project in Italy, its second energy storage asset in the country. Elektroprivreda Crne Gore AD Niksic, the national utility of Montenegro, signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan-based PowerX for deployment of 500 MWh of battery energy storage to support grid integration of renewable energy.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. participated in a first-of-its-kind clean energy activation during NASCAR race weekend in San Diego, supplying renewable propane to power electric vehicle charging. The project, a collaboration with ABB, Kempower, and NASCAR, used renewable propane-fueled generators to charge battery storage systems that powered DC fast chargers, demonstrating a lower-carbon solution for on-demand mobile EV charging where grid access is limited or temporary. The installation took place at Naval Base Coronado from June 19 to 21, 2026, and highlighted how portable energy systems can support EV charging in off-grid, high-demand environments. Suburban Propane's Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Nandini Sankara, said the collaboration showed how renewable propane can complement emerging technologies by providing reliable energy when and where it is needed. Renewable propane is produced from feedstocks such as plant oils and animal fats, offering significantly lower lifecycle carbon intensity while being usable in existing propane equipment.

IPD, in partnership with ABB Australia and Equilibrium Climatech Joint Venture, has supplied more than 130 ABB ACH580-01 Variable Speed Drives for the HVAC systems at the New Sydney Fish Market, a major public infrastructure project at Blackwattle Bay led by Infrastructure NSW. The drives are part of a sustainability strategy that targets a 25 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions and a 5 to 30 percent reduction in energy consumption compared with conventional systems. The ABB ACH580 drives control chilled water pumps, condenser water pumps, cooling tower operations, and various fans, integrating with the building’s central Building Management System for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. The project team selected the drives for their energy efficiency, seamless BMS integration, durability, and HVAC-specific features such as IP55 protection and embedded EMC filters. The collaboration highlights how contractors, technology providers, and suppliers can deliver infrastructure that balances environmental responsibility, operational performance, and long-term financial viability.

ABB and NASCAR have launched ABB NASCAR Grid Control, a first-of-its-kind fan experience that gives racegoers a real-time look into race control and operational sustainability. The 20-by-8-by-18-foot glass pod, located in the general admission fan zone at NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril, features 11 live video feeds and data dashboards showing an unprecedented simulcast of what NASCAR engineers see in official race control, including telemetry, live data streams, and advanced analytics. The activation is powered by a temporary network of microgrids that allows the street race at Naval Base Coronado to run without reliance on the local utility grid, using a hybrid energy strategy that combines Battery Energy Storage Systems with diesel generators to reduce fuel use and emissions. Real-time energy and carbon performance dashboards, enabled by ABB CogniEN and ABB Sensorfact Smart Monitoring Sensors, publicly report total carbon savings, zone-specific energy optimizations, and hybrid performance data for the first time, supporting NASCAR IMPACT’s goal of achieving net zero operating emissions by 2035.

The global humanoid robot market, currently valued at $2 billion to $3 billion, is projected to reach $200 billion by 2035 under an optimistic adoption curve, according to a Barclays research report. Companies like Tesla, ABB, NVIDIA, and Alphabet are advancing humanoid robotics, with Tesla planning commercial sales of its Optimus robot by late 2027. To capture this growth while mitigating single-stock risk, investors can consider ETFs such as the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ), ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ), and Roundhill Humanoid Robotics ETF (HUMN). BOTZ holds ABB and NVIDIA among its top positions, ARKQ is heavily weighted in Tesla and Alphabet, and HUMN includes UB Tech Robotics, Tesla, and Hyundai Motor as its largest holdings. These funds have posted strong one-year returns, with ARKQ surging 57.6%, HUMN soaring 41%, and BOTZ rallying 21.1%.