China Halts SoftBank's Planned Purchase of ABB's Robotics Business
ABB says Chinese authorities have blocked SoftBank from buying its robotics arm in China, a deal valued at $5.375 billion. Talks continue, the company said.
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what happened
ABB, the Swiss-Swedish electrification and automation group, has confirmed that SoftBank Group told it authorities in China have barred the Japanese tech conglomerate from acquiring ABB's robotics unit there, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
ABB said on Thursday that it remains in close contact with SoftBank and that both sides are working constructively on the transaction. The Financial Times had earlier reported the prohibition. SoftBank did not comment when approached.
The agreement, reached in October last year, valued the division at an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, and the move now leaves its future uncertain.
why it matters
The decision shows that Chinese authorities are still willing to block foreign takeovers in high-tech sectors. For ABB, a planned sale of a major division is now in doubt, while SoftBank loses a large automation acquisition for the time being.
market impact
ABB: the planned $5.375 bn sale of its robotics unit is now in doubt after the China block
- ABB shares pressure down — the planned sale of its robotics unit is now uncertain
tags
instruments
sources
- ABB Confirms China Blocked SoftBank Deal for Robotics Unit — Dow Jones Newswires, 5 November 2026 at 06:55 UTC
- ABB Confirms China Blocked SoftBank Deal for Robotics Unit — Dow Jones Newswires, 5 November 2026 at 07:10 UTC
prepared by the newsmetry newsroom with ai assistance from the sources listed below. not investment advice.
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