ABB raises outlook on record orders, buys Rotork, invests in grid capacity
Q2 orders surge 30%, profit up 7%, 2026 revenue outlook raised ABB's second-quarter orders jumped 30% to $12.0 billion and net income rose 7% to $1.23 billion. Management raised full-year 2026 revenue growth guidance to low double-digit to low-teens, a direct sign that demand for ABB's electrification and automation products is stronger than expected, which supports a higher share price.
This is the single biggest new fundamental driver of ABB's value this period.
ABB to buy Rotork for $5.5 billion, funded partly by Robotics sale ABB agreed to acquire UK actuator maker Rotork for about $5.5 billion, a 60% premium, to expand its automation business. The deal will be paid for with cash and roughly $4.8 billion from selling its Robotics unit to SoftBank. Buying a quality business at a high price is a long-term positive, but the premium and integration risk create some uncertainty for the share price.
This is a major strategic move that reshapes ABB's portfolio and affects its balance sheet.
ABB invests $200 million to expand European medium-voltage manufacturing ABB announced a $200 million investment across Europe, including a new $100 million plant in Italy, to boost production of medium-voltage electrical equipment. This capacity expansion positions ABB to capture rising demand from battery storage and grid projects across Europe, supporting future revenue growth.
It shows ABB is investing to meet the electrification demand that is driving its orders.
ABB invests in Gridcog to scale energy project modeling software ABB made a minority investment in UK startup Gridcog, whose software helps design and compare renewable and microgrid projects. This strengthens ABB's advisory and digital services for commercial and industrial customers, adding a higher-margin software layer to its electrification offerings and supporting long-term growth.
It highlights ABB's push into digital and software services that complement its hardware business.