ABB Keeps Buying Back Stock While Beijing Blocks Its Robotics Sale
Published on 11/07/2026 at 04:33 | Editorial boerse-global.de
ABB repurchased 575,000 of its own shares between 29 October and Wednesday, the Swiss engineering group said Thursday, continuing a buyback programme it announced on 6 February. Cumulative purchases since the programme began on 9 February now total 12,593,273 shares.
The buyback runs alongside a far less settled matter: the sale of ABB's robotics business to SoftBank, which China's outbound investment security review body has blocked. SoftBank informed ABB of the decision, and ABB said the two companies remain in close dialogue and are working constructively on the transaction. The agreed deal carries an enterprise value of USD 5.375bn.
Swiss broadcaster SRF floated two possible routes forward — a restructuring of the transaction, or a separate buyer for the China units. Neither has been resolved, and the outcome of the sale remains open. Media reports have questioned whether the agreed disposal can close at all; Reuters reported a decline in ABB shares on Thursday tied to the Chinese veto, with market commentary pointing to uncertainty over the deal and ABB's China business.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying ABB?
Two Banks, One Rating, Two Targets
Analysts have kept their footing even as the deal wobbles. UBS reaffirmed its "Neutral" rating on Wednesday with a price target of CHF 88, as reported by dpa-AFX — a confirmation rather than an upgrade or downgrade. Analyst Andre Kukhnin based the call on findings from a conversation with ABB chief executive Morten Wierod, whose tone the study described as confident. Goldman Sachs, by contrast, cut its target on 30 October to CHF 79 from CHF 82 while holding its "Neutral" rating. Same stance, different numbers.
Away from the transaction, ABB on Monday reported two orders from Southwest Aluminum (Group) Co., Ltd. covering integrated automation, process control and digital solutions for two cold rolling mills in Chongqing. Both plants are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2027.
In a separate regulatory disclosure, a member of ABB's management acquired 170 ABB registered shares on 31 October under the Employee Share Acquisition Plan, a transaction valued at CHF 10,098 according to the SIX register filing.
The stock rose 0.8% on Friday. ABB's next confirmed event is its Group Capital Markets Day on 18 November 2026 in New Berlin, USA.
Ad
ABB Stock: New Analysis - 7 November
Fresh ABB information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
