ABB
Zurich-based electrification and automation group that agreed in October 2025 to sell its robotics division to SoftBank Group for USD 5.375 billion.
- EU clears SoftBank's $5.4 billion ABB Robotics deal, a price of 17 times EBITDA to give its robot AI a body
The European Commission cleared SoftBank Group's purchase of ABB's robotics division, valued at USD 5.375 billion, under its simplified procedure on 11 March 2026. The price equals 17.2 times the division's 2024 EBITDA, while the floor valuation of Skild AI, whose round SoftBank led in January, is 2.6 times as high. Approvals in China and the United States remain, and both companies expect closing in mid-to-late 2026.
Subject - Estun lists in Hong Kong at the bottom of its range, raising HK$1.49 billion as China's top-selling robot brand returns to profit
Nanjing industrial robot maker Estun Automation began trading in Hong Kong on 9 March 2026 after pricing 96.78 million H shares at HK$15.36, raising HK$1.49 billion gross, with half of the net proceeds reserved for overseas plants, alliances and acquisitions. Its first annual results as a dual-listed company showed 2025 revenue up 21.93% and a small profit after a RMB810.93 million loss, while stabilisation buying down to HK$11.69 showed weak aftermarket demand.
Mentioned - Teradyne's robotics arm shrinks 16% to $308 million in 2025 and restructures about 400 jobs as AI test demand lifts the group
Teradyne said its Universal Robots and MiR unit booked $89 million of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, up about 19% on the third quarter but below $98 million a year earlier. Full year robotics revenue fell to $308 million from $365 million, and restructuring in the unit affected about 400 employees, while group revenue rose 44% in the quarter on AI chip test demand.
Mentioned - ABB Robotics ends its last full year under ABB with sales up 2.8% and fourth-quarter operating income halved
ABB's robotics division, now reported as a discontinued operation ahead of its USD 5.375 billion sale to SoftBank Group, booked 2025 revenue of USD 2,331 million and income from operations of USD 294 million, ABB disclosed with its fourth-quarter results on 29 January 2026. Fourth-quarter operating income fell to USD 37 million from USD 71 million as expenses rose 48%, while gross margin improved.
Subject - SoftBank agrees to buy ABB's robotics division for $5.375 billion, killing the planned spin-off at 17 times EBITDA
SoftBank Group will acquire ABB Robotics for an enterprise value of US$5.375 billion, the two companies said on 8 October 2025, replacing ABB's plan to list the unit separately in 2026. The division had 2024 revenue of US$2.279 billion and about 7,000 employees, and the deal needs approval in the EU, China and the US before an expected close in mid-to-late 2026.
Subject - ABB plans to spin off its US$2.3 billion robot business as a separate listed company in 2026
ABB said on 17 April 2025 it will propose a full spin-off of its Robotics division at its 2026 AGM, with trading in the new company planned for the second quarter of 2026. The division, which ABB calls the global number two in robotics, had about US$2.3 billion of 2024 revenue and a 12.1% operational EBITA margin, while its business area's first-quarter margin fell to 9.9% even as orders rose 14%.
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