ABB stock faces China carve-out talks over robotics deal

SoftBank and ABB are exploring a carve-out of the Chinese business from their planned robotics transaction after Beijing blocked the acquisition earlier this month, Reuters reported on Monday, November 9, citing a Bloomberg report and people familiar with the talks. The possible structure would place the China operation in a separate entity with different ownership.

The proposed transaction has an enterprise value of 5.4 billion US dollars. The Chinese authorities' decision has not ended the wider discussions, but it has forced both companies to reconsider how the robotics business could be transferred while addressing concerns around local operations, technology and data.

Deal Structure Remains Unresolved

SoftBank is leading the effort to find a solution, according to the report. The talks could still fail, and neither company commented on the reported carve-out discussions. ABB is also considering other options, including finding another buyer for the business. The report said the robotics unit could potentially command 2 billion to 3 billion US dollars in such a transaction.

China is ABB's largest robotics market and accounts for about 30 percent of the division's business. ABB operates around 30 local companies in China, employs about 15,000 people across nearly 130 cities and serves customers through online and offline channels in almost 700 cities, according to the Reuters report. That footprint makes a China separation strategically significant for both the valuation and the operating model of the proposed deal.

Investors Focus On Strategic Options

ABB announced the planned divestment to SoftBank in October 2025 as part of its effort to sharpen its focus on electrification and automation. SoftBank viewed the acquisition as a central element of its robotics and artificial-intelligence strategy. A China carve-out could preserve part of the transaction, but it would also leave the final scope, ownership structure and proceeds uncertain.

ABB stock traded at 73.86 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 10:47 CET on Monday, November 9, 2026. Investors can follow the real-time quote of ABB stock.

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More negotiations, regulatory discussions or a revised transaction structure could determine whether the robotics divestment proceeds. More news and analyses on ABB stock.