Q2 2026 ABB Ltd Earnings Call

July 16, 2026

Speaker #1: To constantly outperform. At ABB, we call this "outrun." And it's how we help industries become leaner and cleaner. ABB—engineered to outrun.

[Company Representative] (ABB): ABB, engineered to Outrun.

Speaker #2: Greetings, and welcome to this presentation of ABB’s second-quarter results. You will hear from our CEO, Morten Wierod, and our CFO, Kristian Nilsson, as they talk through the results as per usual tradition.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Greetings, welcome to this presentation of ABB Q2 results. You will hear from our CEO, Morten Wierod, and our CFO, Christian Nilsson. They will talk through results as per usual tradition. After this, we will run through the Q&A session. I'm Ann-Sofie Nordh, Head of Investor Relations. With that, I will just simply hand over to you, Morten, for the presentation.

Speaker #2: And after this, we will run through the Q&A session. I'm Ann-Sofie Nordh, Head of Investor Relations. With that, I will simply hand over to you, Morten, for the presentation.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Ann-Sofie. So, let's talk through the building blocks that resulted in another record quarter for both orders and revenues: good earnings growth, solid margin improvement, and good cash flow.

Morten Wierod: Thanks, Ann-Sofie. Let's talk through the building blocks that resulted in another record quarter for both orders and revenues, good earnings growth, a solid margin improvement, and good cash flow. In total, things progressed more or less as planned. We delivered on our guidance, I'm pleased with the results. I want to start with M&A. You have heard me talk about the teams being active on a good target pipeline. Now we see these efforts result in 3 recently announced acquisitions, which combined would add approximately 3.5% to our 2025 revenues. This includes two smaller deals, one being in the Italian company, Specialtrasfo, who is specialized in medium-voltage transformers. I want to make it clear that we're not going back into the general power transformer business. No, these are custom-engineered components aimed at industrial and energy applications.

Speaker #3: In total, things progressed more or less as planned. We delivered on our guidance, so I'm pleased with the results. But I want to start with M&A.

Speaker #3: You have heard me talk about the teams being active on a good target pipeline. Now we see these efforts result in three recently announced acquisitions, which combined would add approximately 3.5% to our 2025 revenues.

Speaker #3: This includes two smaller deals, one being in the Italian company Special Trasfo, who is a specialized in medium-voltage transformers. I want to make it clear that we're not going back into the general powered transformer business.

Speaker #3: No, these are custom-engineered components aimed at industrial and energy applications. They fit well in the Motion High-Power division, as they can integrate these transformers with our large motors and drives into fully optimized powertrain solutions.

Morten Wierod: It fits well in the Motion High Power division, as they can integrate these transformers with our large motors and drives into fully optimized powertrain solutions. The other small deal is in the Marine & Ports division in the business area Automation. Their acquisition of the marine automation specialist, Höglund, is a nice complement to our existing offering. Höglund's integrated automation system handles automation, monitoring, and control tasks on board of ships. By combining data from engines, power generators, and cargo systems, it helps improve safety, energy efficiency, and overall operational performance. This will further strengthen our already leading position in marine. This morning, we also announced a larger deal, namely our offer to acquire Rotork. We have followed Rotork from a distance for a long while, impressed by their technology. They are a leading manufacturer of actuators and would expand our automation offering.

Speaker #3: The other small deal is in the marine and ports division in the business area automation. Their acquisition of the marine automation specialist Höglund is a nice complement to our existing offering.

Speaker #3: Höglund's integrated automation system handles automation, monitoring, and control tasks on board of ships. By combining data from engines, power generators, and cargo systems, it helps improve safety, energy efficiency, and overall operational performance.

Speaker #3: This will further strengthen our already leading position in marine. And this morning, we also announced a larger deal, namely our offer to acquire Rotorq.

Speaker #3: We have followed Rotorq from a distance for a long while, impressed by their technology. They are a leading manufacturer of actuators and would expand our automation offering.

Speaker #3: And importantly, timing is good, as ABB is in good shape. We have improved governance and performance of our own company. We are ready to welcome Rotorq into ABB.

Morten Wierod: Importantly, timing is good, as ABB is in good shape. We have improved governance and performance of our own company. We are ready to welcome Rotork into ABB. This is an important step to expand the ABB automation offering. It broadens our scope in what we call the Sense, Control, Act automation loop. We can take these solutions into our extensive market reach and build on our digital and technology capabilities. We see a strong strategic fit between Rotork and the ABB purpose and our leading position in the electrification and automation. This deal will bring together two businesses with highly complementary technology portfolios and similar customer relationships, geographic footprints, and strong installed bases. Beyond the strategic fit, we see Rotork's culture and operating philosophy similar to ours. Last year, they generated revenues of GBP 777 million and a high adjusted operating margin of 24.6%.

Speaker #3: This is an important step to expand the ABB automation offering. It broadens our scope in what we call the sense-control-act automation loop.

Speaker #3: We can take these solutions into our extensive market reach and build on our digital and technology capabilities. We see a strong strategic fit between Rotorq and the ABB purpose and our leading position in the electrification and automation.

Speaker #3: This deal will bring together two businesses with highly complementary technology portfolios, as well as similar customer relationships, geographic footprints, and strong installed bases. Beyond the strategic fit, we see Rotorq's culture and operating philosophy as similar to ours.

Speaker #3: Last year, they generated revenues of $777 million and a high adjusted operating margin of 24.6%. Absorbing this into the ABB result for 2025, our revenues would increase by about 3%, and operational EBITDA margin would improve by about 20 basis points.

Morten Wierod: Absorbing this into the ABB result for 2025, our revenues would increase by about 3%, and Operational EBITDA margin would improve by about 20 basis points. This acquisition would be accretive to our earnings per share in year two, as the 1st year is burdened by certain acquisition-related costs. We have agreed on a price of 503 British pence per Rotork share. In US dollar terms, this comes to about $5.5 billion, or in 2025 multiple terms, an EV to sales of about 5.3, and EV to EBITDA of about 19.5. This represents a discount in the region of 5% to 25% versus our own multiples. Accounting for synergies, the EV to EBITDA multiple reduces in the mid-teens range. From a timing perspective, we expect the transaction to close in H1 2027, post Rotork shareholder vote and customary regulatory approvals.

Speaker #3: This acquisition would be accretive to our earnings per share in year two, as the first year is burdened by certain acquisition-related costs. We have agreed on a price of 503 British pence per Rotork share.

Speaker #3: In US dollar terms, this comes to about 5.5 billion. Or in 2025 multiple terms, an EV to sales of about 5.3, an EV to EBITDA of about 19.5.

Speaker #3: This represents a discount in the region of 5% to 25% versus our own multiples. And, accounting for synergies, the EV to EBITDA multiple reduces to the mid-teens range.

Speaker #3: From a timing perspective, we expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2027, post-Rotorq shareholder vote and customary regulatory approvals. It is our strong view that Rotorq joining ABB adds long-term value across the stakeholder groups.

Morten Wierod: It is our strong view that Rotork joining ABB adds long-term value across the stakeholder groups. The Rotork board is aligned on the strategic fit, and it is supportive and recommends the offer. What do we actually mean when we talk about the Sense, Control, Act automation loop? I would say that automation is about closing feedback control loops. You are sensing a condition. You take algorithmic decisions in controllers, which triggers an act in, for example, a motor and drive running a fan, pump, or compressor. First, there is sensing. The sensor feed process signals into the automation system. These are signals of pressure, temperature, flow, or level, or the chemical composition of gases and liquids. The automation system controls, monitors, and optimize the continuous production processes. This can be in a pulp and paper plant or on an oil platform.

Speaker #3: The Rotorq board is aligned on the strategic fit, and it is supportive and recommends the offer. But what do we actually mean when we talk about the sense-control-act automation loop?

Speaker #3: I would say that automation is about closing feedback control loops. You are sensing a condition; you take algorithmic decisions in controllers, which triggers an act in, for example, a motor and drive running a fan, pump, or compressor.

Speaker #3: First, there is sensing. The sensor feeds process signals into the automation system. These are signals of pressure, temperature, flow, or level, or the chemical composition of gases and liquids.

Speaker #3: The automation system controls, monitors, and optimizes continuous production processes. This can be in a pulp and paper plant or on an oil platform.

Speaker #3: The system uses the sensor signals to infer a processed state to analyze deviations and to calculate corrective actions. This takes us to the act phase.

Morten Wierod: The system uses the sensor signals to infer a process state, to analyze deviations, and to calculate corrective actions. This takes us to the act phase. The DCS signals the actuators, which triggers, for example, a valve to optimize how much it is open in order to adjust the pressure of flow or liquid or gas. Our position within the automation loop has this far been biased towards the DCS and sensing. Rotork is a leading independent manufacturer of actuators, with a particularly strong position in electric actuators. By adding this to our portfolio, we would improve our offering into the act phase and further strengthen our competitive position. As part of the automation extended platform, it will enhance our ability to help our customers through increasingly digital, connected, and autonomous solutions across energy and process industries.

Speaker #3: The DCS signals the actuators, which triggers, for example, a valve to optimize how much it is open in order to adjust the pressure or flow or liquid or gas.

Speaker #3: Our position within the automation loop has thus far been biased towards the DCS and sensing. Rotork is a leading independent manufacturer of actuators, with a particularly strong position in electric actuators.

Speaker #3: By adding this to our portfolio, we would improve our offering into the Act phase and further strengthen our competitive position. As part of the Automation Extended platform, it will enhance our ability to help our customers through increasingly digital, connected, and autonomous solutions across energy and process industries.

Speaker #3: There are, of course, different types of actuators and Rotorq is leading player across electric, pneumatics, and hydraulic actuation. Electric actuators represent more than half of Rotorq's sales.

Morten Wierod: There are, of course, different types of actuators, and Rotork is leading player across electric, pneumatics, and hydraulic actuation. Electric actuators represent more than half of Rotork's sales. From a customer perspective, this come with the benefit of consuming energy only when performing work. This reduces operational costs and improves energy efficiency. They also provide highly accurate positioning and motion control. This is essential for applications requiring multiple points or positioning or precise adjustments. Rotork will be a really strong match, extending our current offering, and in the combined setup, we are better balanced in the sense-control-act automation loop. As I mentioned earlier, we have followed Rotork for a long time. They have many qualities as the plan is that they will operate as a separate division within the Automation business area, adding about 12% to revenues.

Speaker #3: From a customer perspective, these come with the benefit of consuming energy only when performing work. This reduces operational costs and improves energy efficiency. They also provide highly accurate positioning and motion control.

Speaker #3: This is essential for applications requiring multiple points or positioning or precise adjustments. Rotorq will be a really strong match extending our current offering. And in the combined setup, we are better balanced in the sense control automation loop.

Speaker #3: As I mentioned earlier, we have followed Rotorq for a long time. They have many qualities as the plan is that they will operate as a separate division within the automation business area.

Speaker #3: Adding about 12% to revenues. By running them as a separate division, we would retain accountability and operational focus, very much in line with the ABB Way operating model.

Morten Wierod: By running them as a separate division, we would retain accountability and operational focus, very much in line with the ABB Way operating model. Automation products is a profitable business, so our mix improves. In the combined setup, the business area Operational EBITDA margin would have been 15.2%, 120 basis points higher than reported 2025 actuals. We are very hopeful about what we and Rotork can jointly accomplish. Together, we will be a strong partner to customers as we move towards increasingly digital, connected, and autonomous solutions across energy and process industries. Now let's turn back to Q2. We delivered new record levels for both orders and revenues. In the order chart, you see that this is the first time we generated about $12 billion in one quarter.

Speaker #3: And automation products is a profitable business, so our mix improves. In the combined setup, the business area operational EBITDA margin would have been 15.2%, $120 basis points higher than reported 2025 actuals.

Speaker #3: We are very hopeful about what we and Rotorq can jointly accomplish. Together, we will be a strong partner to customers as we move towards increasingly digital connected and autonomous solutions across energy and process industries.

Speaker #3: Now let's turn back to Q2. We delivered new record levels for both orders and revenues. In the order chart, you see that this is the first time we generated about $12 billion in one quarter.

Speaker #3: The very strong comparable increase of 28% is driven by broad and good activity across most of our customer segments. Notably, the Automation business area even tempered overall order growth for the group.

Morten Wierod: The very strong comparable increase of 28% is driven by a broad and good activity across most of our customer segments. Notably, the Automation business area even tempered overall order growth for the group. Importantly, their market environment remains strong, so their order decline is linked to the very tough comparable. Chris Nilsson will talk more about this shortly. Speaking of strong markets, we had surging order growth of 58% in Electrification and a very strong 20% in Motion. In total, the elevator pitch would be that all of our three business areas continue to see a robust overall market situation, we don't see a pattern of pre-buys, demand is rather underpinned by sustained customer investments across the secular megatrends of energy expansion, energy efficiency, and energy resilience. Areas where ABB's portfolio is very well-positioned to deliver.

Speaker #3: Importantly, their market environment remains strong. So their order decline is linked to the very tough comparable. Chris Yelm will talk more about this shortly.

Speaker #3: But speaking of strong markets, we had surging order growth of 58% in Electrification and a very strong 20% in Motion. In total, the elevated pitch would be that all of our three business areas continue to see a robust overall market situation.

Speaker #3: And we don't see a pattern of pre-buys. But demand is rather unpinned by sustained customer investments across the secular megatrends of energy expansion energy efficiency and energy resilience.

Speaker #3: Areas where ABB's portfolio is very well positioned to deliver. Looking closer at the different customer segments, data centers stand out with a triple-digit order increase.

Morten Wierod: Looking closer at the different customer segments, data center stands out with a triple-digit order increase. We had a challenging comparable in the utility segment, but the market is strong, with investments in grid build-out, stability, and reliability. We also see good demand for upgrades on electrical infrastructure in, for example, tunnels and airports. Linked to transport, marine and rail continue to be strong areas. In the building segments, orders were up in the commercial area, including for HVAC. In the quarter, we got yet another proof point of what we can accomplish with the combined strength of our business areas, the power of ABB. Under the extended partnership with VoltaGrid, Motion and Automation will supply synchronous condensers with the associated prefabricated eHouse units. These are systems that act as critical stabilization assets, enabling the voltage stability required by next-generation AI chips. Well done by the joint team.

Speaker #3: We had a challenging comparable in the utility segment, but the market is strong with investments in grid build-out, stability, and reliability. We also see good demand for upgrades and electrical infrastructure in, for example, tunnels and airports.

Speaker #3: A link to transport, marine, and rail continue to be strong areas. In the building segments, orders were up in the commercial area, including for HVAC.

Speaker #3: In the quarter, we got yet another proof point of what we can accomplish with the combined strength of our business areas—the power of ABB.

Speaker #3: Under the extended partnership with VoltaGrid, motion and automation will supply synchronous condensers with the associated prefabricated e-house house units. These are systems that act as critical stabilization assets enabling the voltage stability required by next-generation AI chips.

Speaker #3: Well done by the joint team. As I mentioned, revenues were the highest on record at $9.5 billion. You can see in the chart that revenues tend to be sequentially up in the second quarter.

Morten Wierod: As I mentioned, revenues were the highest on record at $9.5 billion. You can see in the chart that revenues tend to be sequentially up in Q2. This year, the uptake was larger than usual, in line with our guidance. Revenues increased in both the project and short-cycle businesses. Higher volumes was the biggest contributor to the strong comparable growth of 12%. This includes a good pricing contribution of close to 2% with the teams balancing customer relationships and depending on our own profitability. As a net total, we delivered a positive book-to-bill of 1.27. It was positive in all three business areas. The backlog is up at the record level of $30 billion, up 28% on a comparable basis. In my view, we performed very well in a strong market.

Speaker #3: But this year, the uptake was larger than usual, in line with our guidance. Revenues increased in both the project and short-cycle businesses, and higher volumes were the biggest contributor to the strong comparable growth of 12%.

Speaker #3: This includes a good pricing contribution of close to 2% with the team's balancing customer relationships and depending over own profitability. As a net total, we delivered a positive book-to-bill of $1.27.

Speaker #3: And it was positive in all three business areas. The backlog is up at the record level of $30 billion. Up 28% on a comparable basis.

Speaker #3: In my view, we performed very well in a strong market. Looking at the different geographies, orders were up by double digits in all three regions.

Morten Wierod: Looking at the different geographies, orders were up by double digits in all three regions. The Americas continue to be the strongest growth driver. Orders increased by 52% like-for-like. Looking specifically at the US, orders were up by as much as 62%. This high number includes some large bookings. Base orders were very strong and improved by about 30%. Europe was up by 12%. Here, we saw a decline in the largest market, Germany. This was more than offset by order improvements in several of the other large countries. Asia, Middle East, Africa improved by 12%, with China being up 10%. Let's turn to earnings, which reflects both favorable market conditions and a strong execution. We converted a 12% comparable revenue growth to a 20% increase in Operational EBITA to $1.9 billion. This reflects a margin improvement of 90 basis points to 20.2%.

Speaker #3: The Americas continue to be the strongest growth driver. And orders increased by 52% like-for-like. Looking specifically at the US, orders were up by as much as 62%.

Speaker #3: This high number includes some large bookings, but also base orders were very strong and improved by about 30%. Europe was up by 12%. Here we saw a decline in the largest market, Germany, but this was more than offset by order improvements in several of the other large countries.

Speaker #3: Asia Middle East Africa improved by 12%, with China being up 10%. Let's turn to earnings, which reflects both favorable market conditions and a strong execution.

Speaker #3: We converted the 12% comparable revenue growth to a 20% increase in operational EBITDA to $1.9 billion. This reflects a margin improvement of 90 basis points to 20.2%.

Speaker #3: Similar to the prior quarter, we had pressure on gross margin. It dropped by 50 basis points from last year, impacted mainly by unrealized derivatives on FX and commodities.

Morten Wierod: Similar to the prior Q, we had pressure on gross margin. It dropped by 50 basis points from last year, impacted mainly by unrealized derivatives on FX and commodities. We also still have a bit of a gap on the price-cost balance. That said, we did achieve a gross margin of 40%, which admittedly is a good level. The impact from the unrealized derivatives feeds through to income from operations or EBIT. We had about $130 million of special non-operational items, partially offsetting a strong business performance. In total, we improved income from operation as well as earnings per share by 8%. With that, I hand over to you, Christian.

Speaker #3: But we also still have a bit of a gap on the price-cost balance. That said, we did achieve a gross margin of 40%, which a bitly is a good level.

Speaker #3: The impact from the unrealized derivatives feeds through to income from operations, or EBIT. And we had about $130 million of special non-operational items, partially offsetting a strong business performance.

Speaker #3: In total, we improved income from operation as well as earnings per share by 8%. And with that, I hand over to you, Christian.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Morten. So, let's take a look at what happened in different units. As usual, we start with Electrification, which delivered new record highs across virtually all the headline numbers.

Christian Nilsson: Thanks, Morten. Let's take a look at what happened in different business areas. As usual, we start with Electrification, which delivered new record highs across virtually all the headlight numbers. Comparable orders were up by as much as 58%. The absolute intake advanced from an already strong trajectory. For the first time hit the +$7 billion mark. This is underpinned by strong, broad-based sentiment across major customer segments. I actually noted that this was the sixth consecutive Q with a positive book-to-bill in Electrification. In Q2, it was 1.39. The order backlog increased by 59% to $13.7 billion. Looking at the different segments, data centers stood out again with a triple-digit order growth. Still, we see a solid project pipeline, with data centers requiring increasingly more Electrification content. The market is clearly very supportive. We are performing well in this strong market.

Speaker #1: Comparable orders were up by as much as 58%, and the absolute intake advanced from an already strong trajectory—reaching, for the first time, the plus $7 billion mark.

Speaker #1: This is underpinned by strong broad-based sentiment across major customer segments. I actually noted that this was the sixth consecutive quarters with a positive book-to-bill in electrification.

Speaker #1: In Q2, it was $1.39. And the order backlog increased by 59% to $13.7 billion. Looking at the different segments, data centers stood out again with a triple-digit order growth.

Speaker #1: Still, we see a solid project pipeline with data centers requiring increasingly more electrification content. The market is clearly very supportive. And we are performing well in this strong market.

Speaker #1: But there are very good developments also in the other markets. If we exclude data center segments, electrification orders still increased by double digits. One segment to highlight is land-based infrastructure.

Christian Nilsson: There are very good developments also in the other markets. If we exclude data center segments, Electrification orders still increased by double digits. One segment to highlight is land-based infrastructure. This is driven by modernizing electrical infrastructure for tunnels, roads, or rail. Demand in the building segment also improved, driven by commercial activity. The utility segment is another strong market, although in this particular quarter, the order growth was limited due to last year's high comparable. Now turning to revenues, which amounted to $5.2 billion on a comparable growth of 19%. This was driven by good progress in both the short cycle and project business. Higher volumes was clearly the main driver. The team did well also on price management, which added about 2%. It was encouraging to see the sequential acceleration in pricing in Q2.

Speaker #1: This is driven by modernizing electrical infrastructure for tunnels, roads, or rail. Demand in the building segment also improved, driven by commercial activity. The utility segment is another strong market, although in this particular quarter, the order growth was limited due to last year's high comparable.

Speaker #1: Now, turning to revenues, which amounted to $5.2 billion on a comparable growth of 19%. This was driven by good progress in both the short-cycle and project business.

Speaker #1: Higher volumes were clearly the main driver. But the team did well also on price management, which added about 2%. And it was encouraging to see the sequential acceleration in pricing in the second quarter.

Speaker #1: We still have a bit of a gap in price versus input cost to cover in gross margin. And here we expect to be at least neutral for the full year.

Christian Nilsson: We still have a bit of a gap in price versus input cost to cover in gross margin, and here we expect to be at least neutral for the full year. In Q2, this gap was more than compensated for by efficiency improvements and stringent SG&A control. As a net total, the Operational EBITDA was up by 26% to $1.3 billion. This reflects a margin of 24.9%, yet another record high from the Electrification team. Looking at Q3, we expect comparable revenue growth to be at least similar to what we saw in Q2. Operational EBITDA margin should improve from the Q2 levels of 24.9%. Now, let's turn to Motion. Contrary to the usual seasonal trend, orders actually increased sequentially and reached $2.6 billion.

Speaker #1: But in the second quarter, this gap was more than compensated for by efficiency improvements and stringent SG&A control. As a net total, the operational EBITDA was up by 26% to $1.3 billion.

Speaker #1: This reflects a margin of 24.9% yet another record high from the electrification team. Looking at the third quarter, we expect comparable revenue growth to be at least similar to what we saw in Q2.

Speaker #1: And operational EBITDA margin should improve from the second quarter levels of 24.9%. Now, let's turn to Motion. Contrary to the usual seasonal trend, orders actually increased sequentially and reached $2.6 billion.

Speaker #1: This reflects a comparable growth of 20% from last year, driven by improvements in both short-cycle and project business. As Morten mentioned earlier, we see good demand for our grid stabilization technologies, with our industry-leading synchronous condensers.

Christian Nilsson: This reflects a comparable growth of 20% from last year, driven by improvements in both short cycle and project business. As Morten mentioned earlier, we see a good demand for our grid stabilization technologies with our industry-leading synchronous condensers. Other positive segments were rail, marine, and mining. On the more short cycle side, there was strength in HVAC for commercial buildings as well as in data centers cooling. Similar to recent quarters, the softer areas are the process-related segments like chemicals and pulp and paper. Turning now to revenues of $2.2 billion with a comparable revenue growth of 4%, more or less equally driven by volume and price, with an additional percentage of growth derived from portfolio changes. As you mentioned, coming into the quarter, profitability was under pressure. Operational EBITDA margin dropped by 130 basis points to 18.5%. There are multiple factors to consider.

Speaker #1: Other positive segments were rail, marine, and mining. On the more short-cycle side, there was strength in HVAC for commercial buildings, as well as in data center cooling.

Speaker #1: Similar to recent quarters, the softer areas are the process-related segments like chemicals, and pulp and paper. Turning now to revenues, of $2.2 billion, with a comparable revenue growth of 4%, more or less equally driven by volume and price.

Speaker #1: With an additional percentage of growth derived from portfolio changes. As we mentioned coming into the quarter, profitability was under pressure. Operational EBITDA margin dropped by 130 basis points to 18.5%.

Speaker #1: And there are multiple factors to consider. First, the positive impact by operational leverage on comparable revenue growth. This was, however, more than offset by Argomesa Electric acquisition operating at a loss and diluted margin by around 70 basis points year on year.

Christian Nilsson: First, the positive impact by operational leverage on comparable revenue growth. This was, however, more than offset by our Gamesa Electric acquisition operating at a loss and diluted margin by around 70 basis points year on year. This is similar to what we saw in Q1. We expect it to be dilutive for the remainder of this year. Additionally, we still have some operational inefficiencies in our high-power division. These should, however, be resolved during H2. Lastly, there were some timing impacts in production volumes in the traction division, which had an adverse impact on profitability. The high-level view for Motion can be summarized as good orders in a solid market, some challenges on profitability, which partially will linger throughout the year. Looking at Q3, we expect comparable revenue growth in the mid to high single-digit range year on year.

Speaker #1: This is similar to what we saw in Q1, and we expect it to be dilutive for the remainder of this year. Additionally, we still have some operational inefficiencies in our high power division.

Speaker #1: These should, however, be resolved during the second half of the year. And lastly, there were some timing impacts in production volumes in the Traction division, which had an adverse impact on profitability.

Speaker #1: The high-level view for Motion can be summarized as good orders in a solid market, but some challenges on profitability, which partially will linger throughout the year.

Speaker #1: Looking at the third quarter, we expect comparable revenue growth in the mid to high single-digit range, year on year. And operational EBITDA margin should be similar to the second quarter.

Christian Nilsson: Operational EBITDA margin should be similar to Q2. Now, let's turn to Automation, where orders remain sequentially stable on the level of $2.5 billion. These orders actually make it one of their strongest quarters, but still recorded a year-on-year decline of 14%. This is due to last year's high comparable, which includes a very large single booking of $600 million. You can see it in the charts on the left-hand side. Let's take a look at order drivers. Demand for marine as well as port automation electrification continues to be strong. Overall, our performance in oil and gas remains solid, with any disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict contained to the local markets. Similar to what we see in Motion, the softer demand is noted in the process-related industries of pulp and paper and chemicals.

Speaker #1: Now, let's turn to automation, where orders remain sequentially stable on the level of 2.5 billion dollars. These orders actually make it one of their strongest quarters.

Speaker #1: But still recorded a year-on-year decline of 14%. This is due to last year's high comparable, which includes a very large single booking of 600 million.

Speaker #1: You can see it in the charts on the left-hand side. But let's take a look at the order drivers. Demand for marine, as well as port automation and electrification, continues to be strong.

Speaker #1: Overall, our performance in oil and gas remained solid. With any disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, contained to the local market. Similar to what we see in motion, the softer demand is noted in the process-related industries of pulp and paper and chemicals.

Speaker #1: And we still see a muted capex environment in the mining segment. Revenues came through slightly better than expected, with comparable growth of 7%. Overall, we generated revenues of $2.2 billion, but it came with somewhat of an adverse mix.

Christian Nilsson: We still see a muted CapEx environment in the mining segment. Revenues came through slightly better than expected with comparable growth of 7%. Overall, we generated revenues of $2.2 billion, it came with somewhat of an adverse mix. The higher share of revenues from the project and system integration business has a slight negative impact on gross margin. Still, the team improved Operational EBITDA margin by 120 basis points to 15.4%, supported by a stringent cost control, not least in SG&A. I should also mention that in the quarter, we had about 70 basis points of margin support from a one-timer. This stems from a provision release linked to a project settlement. Overall, another solid delivery from the Automation team. Looking at Q3, we expect comparable revenues to improve in the mid-single-digit range, and Operational EBITDA margin should improve year on year.

Speaker #1: The higher share of revenues from the project and system integration business had a slight negative impact on gross margin, but still, the team improved operational EBITDA margin by 120 basis points to 15.4%, supported by stringent cost control—not least in SG&A.

Speaker #1: I should also mention that in the quarter, we had about 70 basis points of margin support from a one-timer. This stems from a provision release linked to a project settlement.

Speaker #1: But overall, another solid delivery from the automation team. Now, looking at the third quarter, we expect comparable revenues to improve in the mid single-digit range.

Speaker #1: And operational EBITDA margin should improve year on year. Cash was another solid point in our results. As noticeable in the chart, we didn't have the usual pattern of sequentially higher free cash flows.

Christian Nilsson: Cash was another solid point in our results. As noticeable in the chart, we didn't have the usual pattern of sequentially higher free cash flows. As you may recall, Q1 was boosted by about $425 million from a real estate sale. On a year-on-year basis, we improved slightly to $881 million. This was backed by a good operational earnings increase, which offset the impact from higher CapEx spend in continuing operations, as well as a lower cash flow in discontinued operations. All in all, this was a good cash quarter, and we are well on track to improve our free cash flows from last year's strong level of $4.6 billion. With that, I hand it back to you, Morten.

Speaker #1: As you may recall, the first quarter was boosted by about $425 million from a real estate sale. But on a year-on-year basis, we improved slightly to $881 million.

Speaker #1: This was backed by a good increase in operational earnings, which offset the impact from higher capex spend in continuing operations, as well as lower cash flow in discontinued operations.

Speaker #1: But all in all, this was a good cash quarter. And we are well on track to improve our free cash flows from last year’s strong level of $4.6 billion.

Speaker #1: And with that, I hand it back to you, Morten.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Christian. So let's finish off with the outlook. As evident in our Q2 results, we play in strong markets. Order backlog is rising, and the short cycle business is clearly supportive.

Morten Wierod: Thanks, Christian. Let's finish off with the outlook. As evident in our Q2 results, we play in strong markets. Order backlog is rising, and the short-cycle business is clearly supportive. We raise our growth guidance for the year to a low double-digit to low teens increase in comparable revenues. This adds confidence to our current margin outlook, which is to improve from last year, even when excluding the real estate gain in Q1 2026. For Q3, we expect a low to mid-teens growth in comparable revenues year on year, and the Operational EBITA margin should show sequential improvement from Q2. Now, Ann-Sofie, let's open up for questions.

Speaker #2: We raise our growth guidance for the year to a low double-digit to low teens increase in comparable revenues. This adds confidence to our current margin outlook, which is to improve from last year, even when excluding the real estate gain in the first quarter of 2026.

Speaker #2: For the third quarter, we expect a low to mid-teens growth in comparable revenues year on year. And the operational EBITDA margin should show sequential improvement from the second quarter.

Speaker #2: So no one see, let's open up for questions.

Speaker #3: Yes, very good. And just as a quick reminder for those of you who are dialed in on the phone, please press star one four to register to ask a question.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Yes. Very good. Just as a quick reminder, for those of you who are dialed in on the phone, please press star 14 to register to ask a question, also remember to mute the webcast as your line is opened. Also, again, we kindly ask you to limit yourself to one question. This is so we can allow for as many as possible to be heard. You can also put your questions through the online tool in the webcast, and I will then voice them over from here. With that, let's take the first question. It comes from Martin Wilkie at Citi. Martin, your line should be open.

Speaker #3: And also, remember to mute the webcast as your line is opened. Again, we kindly ask you to limit yourself to one question.

Speaker #3: This is so we can allow for as many as possible to be heard. But you can also put your questions through the online tool in the webcast, and I will then voice them over from here.

Speaker #3: And with that, let's take the first question. It comes from Martin Wilkie at Citi. Martin, your line should be open.

Speaker #4: Yeah, good morning. Thank you for taking the question. So the question is on electrification orders. Obviously, a phenomenally strong quarter even after a couple of very strong quarters beforehand.

Martin Wilkie: Yeah. Good morning. Thank you for taking the question. The question is on electrification orders, obviously a phenomenally strong quarter even after a couple of very strong quarters beforehand.

Speaker #4: I mean, you've said there's no pre-buy, but I guess what everyone's trying to work out is whether lead times are extending, and if this is reflecting deliveries and build-out further out.

Martin Wilkie: When you said there's no pre-buy, I guess what everyone's trying to work out is whether lead times are extending, and this is reflecting your deliveries and build-out further out into 2028 and beyond, or whether this is sort of a near-term driver that's going to get put into the ground in 2027. Just understanding a little bit more about how you see the sort of duration of the backlog that you're building and what it means for demand strength for the overall industry. Is this lead time related, or is this really true underlying strength in higher and higher build-outs for your customers?

Speaker #4: Into 2028 and beyond, or whether this is sort of a near-term driver that's going to get put into the ground in 2027. So just understanding a little bit more about how you see the sort of duration of the backlog that you're building and what it means for demand strength for the overall industry.

Speaker #4: So is this lead time related, or is this really true underlying strength in higher and higher build-outs for your customers?

Speaker #2: No, I can take that. It's we see the strong growth here in kind of in all sectors. And it is the lead times are the same or similar to what they have been before.

Morten Wierod: I can take that. We see the strong growth here in all sectors. The lead times are the same or similar to what they have been before. We don't see any pre-buys. We don't see really any change from a lead time perspective. It's more that we're getting more capacity online. That means also we can take more orders on our side, and we see that also reflected in our increased revenue guidance both for the quarter now and the year. That's really the driving factor behind it, just high activity level and good demand in the market.

Speaker #2: So, we don't see any pre-buys. We don't see really any change from a lead time perspective. It's more that we're getting more capacity online.

Speaker #2: That means also we can take more orders on our side. And you see that also reflected in our increased revenue guidance, both for the year or for the quarter now and the year.

Speaker #2: So that's really the driving factor behind it. Just high activity level and good demand in the market.

Speaker #3: Very good. Thanks, Martin. And then Magnus from Nordea. Are you with us, Magnus?

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Very good.

Martin Wilkie: Great. Thank you.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thanks, Martin. Magnus from Nordea. Are you with us, Magnus?

Speaker #4: Hi, Morten, Christian, and to Magnus from Nordea. Yeah, staying on the same topic, I think Christian talked about double-digit growth x data centers and order intake in Q2.

[Analyst] (Nordea): Hi, Morten, Christian, Ann-Sofie. Magnus from Nordea. Staying on the same topic I think Christian talked about, double-digit growth ex data centers and order intake in Q2. I think we were slightly higher than that, maybe teens or so in Q1. Could you frame a little bit if the order growth ex data center is moderated in the quarter or not?

Magnus Kruber: Hi, Morten, Christian, Ann-Sofie. Magnus from Nordea. Staying on the same topic I think Christian talked about, double-digit growth ex data centers and order intake in Q2. I think we were slightly higher than that, maybe teens or so in Q1. Could you frame a little bit if the order growth ex data center is moderated in the quarter or not?

Speaker #4: I think we were slightly higher than that, like maybe in the teens or so in Q1. Could you frame a little bit if the order growth ex data centers moderated in the quarter or not?

Speaker #2: Yeah, I mean, no, the double-digit growth outside data center is definitely here in Q2. And it's a similar pattern as we saw in Q1.

Morten Wierod: Yeah.

Christian Nilsson: No, the double digits growth outside data center is definitely here in Q2, and it's a similar pattern that we saw in Q1. Let's say the continuation of that good performance both in Q1 and now associated Q2 outside data centers.

Speaker #2: So let's say the continuation of that good performance both in Q1 and now as we see it in Q2 outside data centers.

Speaker #3: I could add to that.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: I could add to that.

Speaker #4: There's no moderation.

[Analyst] (Nordea): No moderation?

Magnus Kruber: No moderation?

Speaker #3: Yeah, I could add to that also. In electrification specifically, in this quarter, we had a very high comp in the utility segment, which didn't support order growth for that reason.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Yeah, I could add to that also. In electrification specifically, in this quarter, we had a very high comp in the utility segment, which didn't support order growth for that reason. Otherwise, all good.

Speaker #3: So otherwise, all good.

Speaker #4: Perfect. Thank you so much.

[Analyst] (Nordea): Perfect. Thank you so much.

Magnus Kruber: Perfect. Thank you so much.

Speaker #3: And then we have a question here from the online tool. It comes from Benjamin Helen. Could you provide some more color on pricing trends across electrification and automation?

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Then we have a question here from the online tool. It comes from Benjamin Heelan. Could you provide some color on pricing trends across electrification and automation? Are there differences by geography?

Speaker #3: Are there differences by geography?

Speaker #2: Yep. No, we see for this quarter about 2% increase in price. So up from the Q1, that's also what we talked about after the first quarter.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. We see for this quarter about 2% increase in price, up from the Q1. That's also what we talked about after the Q1. We also said that we will, because we need some time to get that full compensation of the cost increases we saw earlier in the year. There is a bit of a lag, and that's what we are executing on and according to that plan. That is still valid. As we said earlier, that it will be more than compensated on cost by the end of the year. Of course, there are differences here in the short cycle versus the long cycle. The long cycle business, you can also do more of a hedging when it comes to material and long and fixed contract.

Speaker #2: And we also said that we will, because we need some time to get that full compensation of the cost increases we saw earlier in the year, there is a bit of a lag.

Speaker #2: And that's what we are executing on. And according to that plan. So that is still valid, as we said earlier, that it will be more than compensated on cost by the end of the year.

Speaker #2: There are, of course, differences here in the short cycle versus the long cycle. In the long cycle business, you can also do more hedging when it comes to materials and long and fixed contracts.

Speaker #2: Of course, with the short cycle, you cannot do that. So that’s where you need to be quicker when it comes to adopting more dynamic pricing. So we see that more, as I say, on the short cycle business where you need to do faster updates.

Morten Wierod: Of course, the short cycle, you cannot do that, there is where you need to be quicker when it comes to adopting, be more dynamic in pricing. We see that more, as I say, on the short cycle business where you need to do faster updates. In geographies, of course, the strongest, as I say, where we have more of inflation is in the Americas where we see also the strongest growth. There is where you have more price effects than, for instance, what we see in China. The price decline that we saw earlier, at least a year back in China, that has reversed. That is also what gives a positive impact on pricing when we are talking about the average.

Speaker #2: Then on geographies, of course, the strongest let's say in where we have more of inflation is in the Americas where we see also the strongest growth.

Speaker #2: So there is where you have more price effect than, for instance, what we see in China. But also the price decline that we saw earlier, you know, at least a year back in China, that has reversed so that is also what gives a positive impact on pricing when we're talking about the average.

Speaker #2: But of course, that difference is still there between the higher price increase markets, talking U.S. versus China. But the deltas have now been lifted on both sides.

Morten Wierod: Of course, that difference is still there between the higher price increase markets, talking US versus China, but the delta has now been lifted on both sides.

Speaker #2: Maybe Europe, we can add, and then kind of in the middle between the two, I guess is fair to say. Yep.

Christian Nilsson: Maybe Europe we can add in, kind of in the middle between the two, I guess it is fair to say.

Speaker #3: Thank you. And then we may take move to the conference call, and we take the question from Andre at UBS. Please.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you. We move to the conference call, and we take the question from Andre at UBS, please.

Speaker #5: Yes, good morning. Thank you very much for taking my question. Can we just talk about road talk acquisition? And could you comment on what kind of drove the decision to pull the trigger at this stage rather than in any sort of point of time?

[Analyst] (UBS): Yes. Good morning. Thank you very much for taking my question. Can we just talk about Rotork acquisition, could you comment on what kind of drove the decision to pull trigger at this stage, rather than any sort of point of time in, I think, the last 10 years that we've talked about it on and off? Just one specific angle on that. In terms of customer fit, from what I understand, Rotork is obviously very petrochemical oil and gas exposed, but your DCS, most natural areas of strength are rather in metal mining and pulp and paper, wastewater rather than the hydrocarbons. Could you talk about how you can synergize these two across the time?

Andre Kukhnin: Yes. Good morning. Thank you very much for taking my question. Can we just talk about Rotork acquisition, could you comment on what kind of drove the decision to pull trigger at this stage, rather than any sort of point of time in, I think, the last 10 years that we've talked about it on and off? Just one specific angle on that. In terms of customer fit, from what I understand, Rotork is obviously very petrochemical oil and gas exposed, but your DCS, most natural areas of strength are rather in metal mining and pulp and paper, wastewater rather than the hydrocarbons. Could you talk about how you can synergize these two across the time?

Speaker #5: And I think the last 10 years that we talked about it on and off. And just one specific angle on that. In terms of customer fit, from what I understand, road talk is obviously very petrochemical oil and gas exposed, but your DCS most natural areas of strength are rather in metal mining and pulp and paper, water wastewater rather than the hydrocarbons.

Speaker #5: So could you talk about how you can synergize these two across the time?

Speaker #2: Yep. No, we looked at the road talk for quite some time. And been impressed about the performance. And what we really like is the leadership in technology and on market leadership.

Morten Wierod: Yep. No, we looked at Rotork for quite some time, been impressed about the performance. What we really like is the leadership in technology and on market leadership. That are two aspects that we like, it's a good fit with the electrification and automation focus from ABB, also it's very similar to Rotork. If you look at end user and end customer exposure, you also see a very good overlap. I mean, 40% of the business of Rotork is oil and gas. That would add, if you're looking at then ABB overall, it adds 0.5% more oil and gas exposure to our existing ABB business. We see rather this complementing and being able to connect the sensing and the control through our Distributed Control System, our leadership there, then the actuators with really the act part coming from the automation system.

Speaker #2: That is our two aspects that we like. And it's a good fit with the electrification and automation focus from ABB and also with its very similar to road talk.

Speaker #2: And if you look at end user and end customer, exposure you also see a very good overlap. It adds I mean, 40% of the business of road talk is oil and gas.

Speaker #2: So that would add if you're looking at an ABB overall, it's add 0.5% more oil and gas exposure to our AB existing ABB business.

Speaker #2: So we see rather these complementing and being able to connect the sensing and the controls through our distributed control system, our leadership there. And then the actuators, which are really the 'act' part coming from the automation system.

Morten Wierod: Combining these two, we believe, is a great fit for end customers and end users. It gives a better service expansion opportunities also for Rotork when they have a wider ABB network to help. That is where we believe there is good both revenue and cost synergies between us, to be able to create that value that we are confident that we will have getting Rotork into ABB. We are looking forward to that new opportunity.

Speaker #2: So combining these two, we believe is a great fit for end customers and end users. It gives a better service expansion opportunities also for road talk when they have a wider ABB network to help.

Speaker #2: So that is where we believe there is good both revenue and cost synergies between us to be able to create that value that we are confident that we will have getting road talk into ABB.

Speaker #2: So we are looking forward to that new opportunity.

Speaker #3: And I'm going to.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: I'm going to-

[Analyst] (UBS): Why now? Sorry.

Speaker #5: And why now? Sorry.

Andre Kukhnin: Why now? Sorry.

Speaker #2: Sorry?

Morten Wierod: Sorry?

Speaker #3: Sorry.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Sorry?

Speaker #5: I was just at the beginning of the question, why now?

[Analyst] (UBS): I was just, the beginning of a question, why now?

Andre Kukhnin: I was just, the beginning of a question, why now?

Speaker #2: Oh. I think here, maybe more, the timing is from an ABB side. We are running as a strong performing company. We have a good governance model, and our ABB Way is well established.

Morten Wierod: Oh. I think here maybe more the timing is from an ABB side. We are running as a strong performance company. We have a good governance model and our ABB Way is well established, and we believe it's the right time also to take in some bigger assets or bigger parts into the company. This will benefit our automation business. It will benefit the overall ABB business. We believe now is a good time.

Speaker #2: And we believe it's the right time also to take in some bigger assets or bigger parts into the company. So our this will benefit over automation business.

Speaker #2: It will benefit the overall ABB business, so we believe now is a good time.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

[Analyst] (UBS): Thank you.

Andre Kukhnin: Thank you.

Speaker #3: And I'm going to tie on to that with a question on road talk from the online tool from Delphine. He says what assumption do you have on the mid-term revenue growth for road talk?

Ann-Sofie Nordh: I'm going to tie on to that with a question on Rotork from the online tool, from Delphine, who says, "What assumption do you have on the midterm revenue growth for Rotork?

Speaker #2: Well, I will not comment on the outlook. I think that is something that they have to do as they are still a separate company.

Morten Wierod: Well, I will not comment on the outlook. I think that is something that they have to do as they are still a separate company, so I will leave that with them. I'm sure there are opportunities to ask that question also.

Speaker #2: So I will leave that with them. And I'm sure there are opportunities to ask that question also.

Speaker #3: Good move. We'll take another call from the conference call line. We'll open up for Will Mackey at Kepler, please.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Good move. We'll take another call from the conference call line. We'll open up for Will Mackie at Kepler, please.

Speaker #6: Thank you very much. I wanted to come back to the data center and market segment. And touch on I'm sure a subject on everyone's mind, which is the continuity of order intake that you've achieved this year.

Will Mackie: Thank you very much. I wanted to come back to the data center end market segment and touch on a, I'm sure a subject on everyone's mind, which is the continuity of order intake that you've achieved this year. You talk about a positive price level and a positive pipeline going ahead, but could you comment broadly on how you see that pipeline maturing into orders in Q3 and Q4? Do you see the current levels of demand that you've just booked sustainable going into the next couple of quarters? Thank you.

Speaker #6: You talk about a positive price level and a positive pipeline going ahead. But could you comment broadly on how you see that pipeline maturing into orders in Q3 and Q4?

Speaker #6: And do you see the current levels of demand that you've just booked sustainable going into the next couple of quarters? Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Thanks. We have kind of we have had seen a very strong comparable growth, of course, coming into these quarters. For the electrification business, reaching the first time about five in Q4, first time about six in Q1, and now the first time about seven billion dollars continue all ways making records in business.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. Thanks. We have seen a very strong comparable growth, of course, coming into these quarters, for the electrification business, reaching the first time about $5 billion in Q4, first time about $6 billion in Q1, and now the first time about $7 billion. Continue always making records in business. I haven't seen that happening, kind of that always happens. We should kind of be a bit, also be aware, of course, of that one. In general, we see a very strong pipeline, also when we're talking about our large customers in this field. The capital allocation and the investment plans are clearly there. It's our ability, of course, then to. We don't take orders that we cannot commit to the right execution date, and that's why. We see a strong and a positive outlook also when you look at the future for the data center sector.

Speaker #2: I haven't seen that happening kind of that always happen. So we should kind of be a bit also aware, of course, of that one.

Speaker #2: But in general, we see a very strong pipeline, also when we're talking about our large customers in this field. So the capital allocation and the investment plans are clearly there.

Speaker #2: It's our ability, of course, that we don't take orders that we cannot commit to for the right execution date. And that's why we still have a strong and positive outlook also when you look at the future for the data center sector.

Speaker #2: But I think we should also recognize there will be kind of variation in the order intake we you may remember everyone of the Q1 last year, where we'd had kind of less of bookings or large order in that quarter than now we had some very good quarters behind us.

Morten Wierod: I think we should also recognize there will be kind of a variation in the order intake. You may remember, everyone, of the Q1 last year, where we'd had kind of less of bookings, so large order in that quarter than now we had some very good quarters behind us. In general, we're looking at a strong demand and also a good outlook for the data centers. I cannot promise you that we will continue to make that kind of records that we've done every quarter now. You will see some variation in the order intake, but the longer-term outlook is still very strong.

Speaker #2: But in general, we're looking at a strong demand and also a good outlook for the data centers. But I cannot promise you that we will continue to make that kind of records that we've done every quarter now.

Speaker #2: So you will see some variation in the order intake in the but the longer term outlook is still very strong.

Speaker #6: Thank you.

[Analyst]: Thank you.

Will Mackie: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thanks. And then we have next in line, Max from Morgan Stanley.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thanks. We have next in line, Max from Morgan Stanley.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Hi. Good morning. My question is just around the electrification revenues and your capacity. If orders are running at this sort of $6.5 to 7 billion level, and we end up, let's say at $27 billion of orders plus, I'm just trying to understand kind of how quickly that can convert into revenues and kind of how much capacity you have. Because, I guess if I look at your sort of sales this year, they're going to be, say, $21 billion. If we think about kind of a lot of this capacity or a lot of these orders being for delivery in 2027, my interpretation would be that there'd be no reason that the growth should slow down. We should be landing at somewhere around $25 billion.

Max Yates: Hi. Good morning. My question is just around the electrification revenues and your capacity. If orders are running at this sort of $6.5 to 7 billion level, and we end up, let's say at $27 billion of orders plus, I'm just trying to understand kind of how quickly that can convert into revenues and kind of how much capacity you have. Because, I guess if I look at your sort of sales this year, they're going to be, say, $21 billion. If we think about kind of a lot of this capacity or a lot of these orders being for delivery in 2027, my interpretation would be that there'd be no reason that the growth should slow down. We should be landing at somewhere around $25 billion.

Speaker #6: Hi. Good morning. Just my question is just around the electrification revenues and your capacity. So if orders are running at this sort of six and a half to seven billion level and we end up let's say at 27 billion of orders plus, I'm just trying to understand kind of how quickly that can convert into revenues and kind of how much capacity you have.

Speaker #6: Because I guess if I look at your sort of sales this year, they're going to be say 21 billion and if we think about kind of a lot of this capacity or a lot of these orders being for delivery in 27, my interpretation would be that there'd be no reason that the growth should slow down.

Speaker #6: We should be landing at somewhere around 25 billion. I guess I'm just trying to understand how quickly and how high can revenues get up to next year and can we see kind of 25, 26 billion?

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): I guess I'm just trying to understand how quickly and how high can revenues get up to next year. Can we see kind of $25, 26 billion? Is that realistic with the capacity that you have? Thank you.

Max Yates: I guess I'm just trying to understand how quickly and how high can revenues get up to next year. Can we see kind of $25, 26 billion? Is that realistic with the capacity that you have? Thank you.

Speaker #6: Is that realistic with the capacity that you have? Thank you.

Speaker #2: You're quite early here, Max, when it comes to talking about 27 already. So we will get there in January. We have more guidance for the 27.

Morten Wierod: You're quite early here, Max, when it comes to talking about 2027 already. We will get there in January with more guidance for the 2027.

Speaker #2: But what I can.

Speaker #6: But you have the backlog. You're kind of locked in for a lot of it, I guess. So, yeah.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): You have the backlog. You're kind of locked in for a lot of it, I guess.

Max Yates: You have the backlog. You're kind of locked in for a lot of it, I guess.

Speaker #2: Yes. True. And what we will see is more kind of also the short cycle business, the book to bill is where we will see how then the total turns out.

Morten Wierod: Yeah

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Yeah.

Max Yates: Yeah.

Morten Wierod: True, what we will see is more kind of also the short cycle business, the book-to-bill, is where we will see how then the total turns out. What I can talk about is kind of the capacity build-out, that we have over time invested and increased our CapEx now for many years. It is investments in United States, investments in China, India. We also announced in this quarter $200 million expansion and additional CapEx into Europe because we talk now a lot about United States and the data center build-out, but as Christian also referred to, we are seeing a strong demand. Also, we have up 12% in Europe in this quarter, 12% in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. If you are looking at, we are adding capacity to be able to deal with the higher order backlog that we now have in place.

Speaker #2: What I can't talk about is kind of the capacity build out. You know that we have over time invested and increased our capex now for many years.

Speaker #2: It's investments in United States, investments in China, in India. We also announced in this quarter 200 million dollar expansion and additional capex into Europe.

Speaker #2: We see that we talk now a lot about the United States and the data center build-out. But, as Christian also referred to, we're seeing strong demand elsewhere—we have up 12% in Europe this quarter, and 12% in Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

Speaker #2: So if you're looking at it, we are adding capacity to be able to deal with the higher order backlog that we know we have in place. So, of course, as I said earlier, we do not take orders.

Morten Wierod: Of course, as I said earlier, we do not take orders where we aren't fully committed that we can deliver on time. That is a very important part. It's the lessons learned from the past. That's one of the things that I think is also helping us winning share, seen as one of the most reliable partners in this space. The order intake, what we can show today is based on committed capacity that we have in place or are being built. Why we increased the guidance is we see that some of the capacity that is now coming online based on previous years' investments, is giving the expected benefits, the expected increased capacity.

Speaker #2: We don't are fully committed that we can deliver on time. That is a very important part. It's a lessons learned from the past. And that's one of the things that I think is also helping us winning share seeing as one of the most reliable partners in this space.

Speaker #2: So the order intake, what we can show today is based on committed capacity that we have in place or are being built. And what was why we increased the guidance is we see that some of the capacity that is now coming online based on previous year's investments is giving the expected benefits, the expected increased capacity.

Speaker #2: And this is a continuous job now on expanding more or less every especially in electrification, every unit that we have with more square meter, more robotics, more automation and more people online, which needs to be trained and we are on a good journey there to be able to execute on this and get that order backlog into revenues.

Morten Wierod: This is a continuous job now on expanding more or less every, especially in Electrification, every unit we have with more square meters, more robotics, more automation, and more people online, which needs to be trained account. We are on a good journey there, to be able to execute on this, and get that order backlog into revenues.

Speaker #6: Maybe just one clarification. Do you have any orders in your backlog that extend into 28 already or is all of this now still for 27?

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Maybe just one clarification. Do you have any orders in your backlog that extend into 2028 already, or is all of this now still for 2027?

Max Yates: Maybe just one clarification. Do you have any orders in your backlog that extend into 2028 already, or is all of this now still for 2027?

Speaker #2: No, we have also for 28, especially if you talk about automation business. There you will see many the pipeline, for instance, on in the cruise segment, much being much longer.

Morten Wierod: No, we have also for 2028, especially if you talk about automation business. There you will see the pipeline, for instance, in the cruise segment being much longer.

Speaker #6: In electrification, sorry. In electrification.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): In electrification. Sorry. In electrification.

Max Yates: In electrification. Sorry. In electrification.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Well, there are also in electrification, you know, they are also part of the portfolio goes also into these like in cruise ships, into mining, and also some of the data centers so this is not all for 27.

Morten Wierod: Well, there are also in electrification, they are also part of the portfolio goes also into this, like in cruise ships, into mining, and also some of the data centers. This is not all for 2027. It is also into some in 2028. That's kind of from all parts of the business.

Speaker #2: It is also in some in 28. So that's kind of from all parts of the business.

Speaker #6: Excellent. Thank you very much.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Excellent. Thank you very much.

Max Yates: Excellent. Thank you very much.

Speaker #3: Thank you. I'll take one question here from the online tool, which is linked to electrification orders—but not on a year-on-year perspective, rather sequentially.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you. I'll take one question here from the online tool, which is linked to electrification orders. Not on a year-on-year perspective, but rather sequentially. Were the sequential improvements across all end markets, or was this focused largely in data centers? The question comes from Benjamin.

Speaker #3: Were the sequential improvements across all end markets, or was this focused largely in data centers? And the question comes from Benjamin.

Speaker #2: Yeah. In, as you say, what we looked at now is the year over year. If you look at the biggest driver was clearly the data center industry.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. As I say, what we looked at now is the year-over-year. If you look at the sequential development there, the biggest driver was clearly the data center industry. Again, strong performance on the utility sector there. I think we have more of a strong also increase in this quarter because there versus Q1, while from last year there it was more flat. You have all this, you're starting to get more complex now with the sequential and the last year, need to get all these numbers placed. Sequentially, the main driver for this quarter is in data center, if you look at the big picture for electrification.

Speaker #2: But again, strong performance in the utility sector there. I think we have a strong increase in this part compared to Q1.

Speaker #2: While from last year, there it was more flat. So you have all these, you're starting to get more complex now with the sequential and the last year.

Speaker #2: So, we need to get all these numbers in place. But sequentially, the main driver for this quarter is in data center, if you look at the big picture for electrification.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Yep. We open up the line for James Moore at Redburn.

Speaker #3: Yep. And then we open up the line for James Moore at Rothschild.

Speaker #7: Good morning, everyone. And my question is on EL and makes could you comment on the share of 2Q orders to 7.2 billion and 2Q sales to 5.2 billion from data centers as a percentage?

James Moore: Good morning, everyone, my question's on EL and mix. Could you comment on the share of Q2 orders, the $7.2 billion and Q2 sales, the $5.2 billion from data centers as a percentage? Within the data center orders, can you comment on customer and product mix? On customer, was the colo orders faster than Neocloud's or hyperscaler or the other way around? On product, is it that you're seeing a much higher growth in medium voltage, say, than low voltage UPS and PDU, or a different view of that, just to help understand the composition?

Speaker #7: And within the data center orders, can you comment on customer and product mix for or customer was the colo orders faster than neoclouds or hyperscaler or the other way around?

Speaker #7: And on product, is it that you're seeing a much higher growth in medium voltage say than low voltage UPS and PDU or a different view of that just to help understand the composition?

Speaker #2: When you talk about the product mix, there is kind of no there's nothing that stands out. It's more kind of you do most of the projects we do, we do medium voltage and low voltage switchgear.

Morten Wierod: When you talk about the product mix, there's nothing that stands out. Most of the projects we do, we do medium voltage and low voltage switchgear. There are some times we do, on the UPS side, there is a difference there. We are much stronger on the medium voltage side. There is no real shift between them there. Where we have gained solid traction and market share is in the medium voltage UPS. I think that is a stronghold where we see more customers who like that technology, and that we have booked more. If you look at the percentage for the quarter, I'm looking at Christian.

Speaker #2: Then there are sometimes we do. I mean, on the UPS side, there is a bit of a difference there. We are much stronger on the medium voltage side.

Speaker #2: So, but there is no real shift between them there. Where we have gained solid traction and market share is in the medium voltage UPS.

Speaker #2: I think that is a stronghold. I receive more customer who likes that technology and that we have booked more. If you look at the percentage of for the quarter, I mean, I'm looking at Christian I mean, of course, with the triple digit growth in data centers, it's fair to say that data centers is growing at a faster pace, which mathematically makes the share bigger for electrification in that space.

Christian Nilsson: On order percentage split. Of course, with the triple-digit growth in data centers, it's fair to say that data centers is growing at a faster pace, which mathematically makes the share bigger for electrification in that space.

Christian Nilsson: On order percentage split.

Morten Wierod: Of course, with the triple-digit growth in data centers, it's fair to say that data centers is growing at a faster pace, which mathematically makes the share bigger for electrification in that space. There is no change also in our mix between hyperscalers.

Speaker #2: But what we don't see is any change. There is also no change in the mix between hyperscalers and colocation. That is also the same.

Morten Wierod: There is no change also in our mix between hyperscalers.

Christian Nilsson: No. Colo

Morten Wierod: colocation. That is also the same. It's more that it's a higher activity level where it's a similar customer base, it's a similar, or the same, kind of mix of products. There is no standout. It's just the whole segment is running faster. That goes also to geographies. If you look at the big picture, the United States still driving it, but we also made significant wins in the data center segment, both in Europe and also in Asia this quarter.

Speaker #2: So it's more that it's just a higher activity level, where it's a similar customer base. It's a similar or the same kind of mix of products.

Speaker #2: So there is no kind of standout. This is just the whole segment is running faster. So and that goes also to geographies very kind of if you look at the big picture, United States still driving it, but we also made significant wins in the data center segment, both in Europe and also in Asia this quarter.

Speaker #3: Okay.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Okay.

Speaker #7: Thanks very much.

James Moore: Thanks very much.

Speaker #3: Thanks, James. And then we have next in line, Jonathan at BNP Paribas.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thanks, James. Then we have next in line, Jonathan at BNP Paribas.

[Analyst] (BNP Paribas): Hi. Thanks for fitting me in. Just on the whole M&A, first of all, trying to understand the synergies. Do you have an idea what the bill of materials for an average Rotork actuator was? I'm particularly interested really in how much of those materials, those sub-components, ABB will be able to make now. Was Rotork? Did they buy much from you to begin with? Is there a big cost synergy angle? I'm thinking about motors, controllers, things like that. How much further will we take this? Do you have any interest in moving a layer even lower into valves, or is actuation as deep as you're willing to go? Just finally, also on M&A, more maybe on the exit side. I see e-mobility losses now are only $18 million.

Jonathan Mounsey: Hi. Thanks for fitting me in. Just on the whole M&A, first of all, trying to understand the synergies. Do you have an idea what the bill of materials for an average Rotork actuator was? I'm particularly interested really in how much of those materials, those sub-components, ABB will be able to make now. Was Rotork? Did they buy much from you to begin with? Is there a big cost synergy angle? I'm thinking about motors, controllers, things like that. How much further will we take this? Do you have any interest in moving a layer even lower into valves, or is actuation as deep as you're willing to go? Just finally, also on M&A, more maybe on the exit side. I see e-mobility losses now are only $18 million.

Speaker #8: Hi, thanks for slotting me in. Maybe just on the whole M&A—first of all, trying to understand the synergies. Do you have an idea what the bill of materials for an average rotor actuator was? I'm particularly interested in how much of those materials, those subcomponents, ABB will be able to make now. Was Rotor a major buyer—did they buy much from you to begin with?

Speaker #8: Is there a big cost synergy angle? I'm thinking about motors, controllers, things like that. Then, how much further will we take this? Do you have any interest in moving a layer even lower into valves, or is actuation as deep as you're willing to go?

Speaker #8: And then just finally, also on M&A – maybe more on the exit side. I see e-mobility losses now are only $18 million. Are we still on track for, say, break-even by the end of the year?

[Analyst] (BNP Paribas): Are we still on track for, say, breakeven by the end of the year? If we get there, does that open up the possibility of an exit in 2027? Thank you.

Jonathan Mounsey: Are we still on track for, say, breakeven by the end of the year? If we get there, does that open up the possibility of an exit in 2027? Thank you.

Speaker #8: And if we get, yeah, does that open up the possibility of an exit in 2027? Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yep. Well, thanks, Jonathan. On the synergy side, the synergy is really on the revenue side, primarily, where we can combine our offering and come up, as I said, with a stronger end-user preference and be able to drive the growth here as a combined offering.

Morten Wierod: Yep. Thanks, Jonathan. On the synergy side, the synergy is really on the revenue side, majority where we can combine our offering and coming up, as I say, a stronger end user preference and be able to drive the growth here as a combined offering, but also especially in the field of service with the very wide service network of ABB being present literally everywhere through ourselves or with service partner, I think opens quite a lot of new service opportunities for that offering. Of course, there are in the field also on procurement, when you talk about component level, it's more, as always, you will look at what's the best buy between the two and how you can leverage that bigger volume as part of ABB. That would also, as always, be part of it.

Speaker #2: But also, especially in the field of service, with the very wide service network of ABB being present literally everywhere, either through our own sales teams or with service partners, I think it opens quite a lot of new service opportunities for that offering.

Speaker #2: Of course, there are, in the field, also on procurement—when you talk about component level, it's more as always, you will look at where you know what's the best buy between the two, and how you can leverage that bigger volume as part of ATP.

Speaker #2: So that would also, as always, be part of it. That's kind of how we will always look at it—to say how we can drive efficiency and competitiveness by also looking at, in the field of procurement and manufacturing, in all aspects of it.

Morten Wierod: That's how we will always look at to say how we can drive efficiency and competitiveness by also looking at in the field of procurement and manufacturing in all aspects of it. On the e-mobility side, we see, as you said, much less losses in Q2 compared to Q1. We are having a plan that gets us to that breakeven by end of the year. If the revenue plan as forecasted now can be met, we have that kind of line of sight to get there. That was always the plan, and we are getting there. We will move on.

Speaker #2: On the e-mobility side, we see, as we said, much less losses in Q2 compared to Q1. We have a plan that gets us to break even by the end of the year.

Speaker #2: If the revenue plan as forecasted now can be met, we have—that is, we have that kind of line of sight to get there.

Speaker #2: And that was always the plan, and we are getting there. We will move on, but that is more of a 2027 event because, as I always said, getting the upgraded product portfolio—which is done—getting the business to a break-even or profitable level, which is ongoing, and then we will take the final step when we are ready to do that also, and that's something we will come back to in 2027.

Morten Wierod: That is more of a 2027 event, because as I always said, getting the upgraded product portfolio, which is done, getting the business to earn breakeven or profitability level, which is ongoing, and then we will take the final step when we are ready to that also, and that's something we will come back to in 2027.

Speaker #4: Maybe just to clarify, so the break-even would be at the end of a year for the individual quarter, and then we have, as we said, maybe estimate around $50 million of losses per year.

Christian Nilsson: Maybe just to clarify, the breakeven would be at the end of a year for the individual quarter, and then we have, as we said, maybe estimate around $50 million of losses for the year.

Morten Wierod: Yeah.

Speaker #3: Thank you. And then we’ll take the next question from Carrie at SB1 Markets.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you. We take the next question from Kari at SB1 Markets.

Speaker #7: Yes, thank you, Carrie at SB1 Market. Yeah, can you hear me?

[Analyst] (SB1 Markets): Yes. Thank you, Kari at SB1 Markets. Yeah. Can you hear me?

Karri Rinta: Yes. Thank you, Kari at SB1 Markets. Yeah. Can you hear me?

Speaker #3: Yes.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Yes.

Speaker #7: Yeah, not surprising. I want to go back to Electrification and the data center order intake, and that rate of growth—100% plus for the first half of the year.

[Analyst] (SB1 Markets): Yeah, not surprisingly, I want to go back to electrification and the data center order intake and the rate of growth 100% plus for H1. Can you give us some indication of how much of that is volume, or the underlying volume for the whole segment? How much of that is market share growth, given that you have added capacity? How much of that growth is price? If you can just rank those and give some indications of ballpark between those three drivers, that would be very helpful.

Karri Rinta: Yeah, not surprisingly, I want to go back to electrification and the data center order intake and the rate of growth 100% plus for H1. Can you give us some indication of how much of that is volume, or the underlying volume for the whole segment? How much of that is market share growth, given that you have added capacity? How much of that growth is price? If you can just rank those and give some indications of ballpark between those three drivers, that would be very helpful.

Speaker #7: So can you give us some indication of how much of this volume, or the underlying volume for the whole segment, is due to market share growth given that you have added capacity, and how much of that growth is price?

Speaker #7: So if you can just rank those and give some indication of the ballpark between those three drivers, that would be very helpful.

Speaker #2: Yeah, the price to start there, I’d say, is in line with what we said earlier. It’s about 2% for the overall sum, and it’s not like there’s one segment that is really sticking out.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. The price, to start there, I'd say is in line what we said earlier, is about 2%. That is for the overall sum, and it is not like it is one segment that is really sticking out. You can use that same, about a couple of percent or 2% on price. When we are looking at the mix, as I said earlier, between geographies, we see good momentum both in Americas, but also Europe and Asia on that side. Also the mix between customers. There is no real change there, it is just higher activity level in the segment. Also, say this, when we are working with the large partners that we have and our customers, to say the outlook when it comes to new projects is strong there, and you will see some of the capital commitments that is being made.

Speaker #2: It's that so you can use that same bit of a couple of percent, for our 2 percent, for on price. When we're looking at the mix, as I said earlier, between geographies, we see good momentum both in Americas, but also Europe and Asia.

Speaker #2: On that side, and also from the mix between customers, there is no real change there. It's just a higher activity level in the segment.

Speaker #2: So that's and I can just to also say this we and when we're working with our the large partners that we have and our customers to say the outlook when it comes to new projects is strong.

Speaker #2: And you will see some of the capital commitments that are being made. And of course, we believe that we are also in a strong future position to win those projects.

Morten Wierod: Of course, we believe that we are in a strong future position to win those projects. If we look back, we have gained market share in this segment, at least from Q1. I believe that trend will continue also in this quarter. I guess we need to see the full reporting before we can make that claim, but we are on a track where the closeness to customers, the offering we have, has been a winning combination. Of course, our ambition is to keep on that journey and winning share in a good market.

Speaker #2: When we look back, we have gained market share in this segment. At least from the first quarter, I believe that trend will continue also in this quarter.

Speaker #2: I guess we need to see kind of the full reporting before we can make that claim. But we are on a track where the closeness to customers the offering we have has been has been a winning combination and of course that is to and that's what our ambition is to keep on that journey and winning share in a good market.

Speaker #7: But can you help me understand why price is such a modest driver? Because it seems to me that the costs related to data center buildout are going up quite significantly in pretty much everything.

[Analyst] (SB1 Markets): Okay. Help me understand why price is such a modest driver, because it seems to be that the costs related to data center build-out are going up quite significantly in pretty much everything. Why is not your gear going up in price more?

Karri Rinta: Okay. Help me understand why price is such a modest driver, because it seems to be that the costs related to data center build-out are going up quite significantly in pretty much everything. Why is not your gear going up in price more?

Speaker #7: So, how—why is, why is not your gear going up in price more?

Speaker #2: Well, I said when I talk about the 2% increase there are as you said earlier there are differences between between regions between China being lower than compared to United States.

Morten Wierod: Well, when I talk about the 2% increase, as you said earlier, there are differences between regions, between China being lower than compared to United States. You also have to remember that many of the hyperscalers are very large customers, and they have also leverage in a price negotiation. We believe with the pricing and how we have been running it, we have been able to protect margin, but also winning share, and that has been the formula that we have followed and that we will follow as well. Of course, we are not leaving price on the table. On the other hand, you have to find the right balance, and we believe that we have a pretty good balance right now.

Speaker #2: We also have to remember that many of the hyperscalers are very large customers and they have also leverage in a price negotiation. So but we we believe with the pricing and and the and how we have been running it we are kind of have have been able to kind of protect margin but also winning winning share and that has been the the formula that we have followed and that we will follow as well.

Speaker #2: So of course the we're not leaving price on the table. On the other hand it is so you have to to find the right balance and and we believe that we we have a pretty good balance right now.

Speaker #3: Thank you. And then thank you. And then we take one question here from the tool. It's from Thomas Jaeger, who says: Your margin guidance for Q3 '26 of sequential improvement versus Q2 '26.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you.

[Analyst] (SB1 Markets): Thank you.

Karri Rinta: Thank you.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you. We'll take one question here from the tool. It is from Thomas Jäger, who says, Your margin guidance for Q3 2026 of sequential improvement versus Q2 2023, what drives it? As historically, margins were largely flat, Q3 versus Q2.

Speaker #3: What drives it? Historically, margins were largely flat in Q3 versus Q2.

Speaker #2: Yeah, no, it's correct. You would assume that's pretty flat, because historically, I think for the last year it's been very flat between Q2 and Q3.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. No, it's correct. You would assume they're pretty flat because historically, I think the four last year has been very flat between Q2 and Q3. This time, we're guiding for a slightly, or what we expect, is a slightly better or even an improvement in Q3. It really comes from the strong revenue growth that we are guiding for as well, and normally, a good drop through our margin, especially in the electrification business or product related businesses. That is what is the background for the guidance.

Speaker #2: This time we're guiding for a slightly better, or what we expect is a slightly better, or even an improvement in the third quarter. And it really comes from the strong revenue growth that we are guiding for as well.

Speaker #2: And normally you see a good drop-through to margin, especially in the Electrification business or product-related businesses. So, that is the background for the guidance.

Speaker #4: And it also fits with what we said the whole time on the price-to-cost input trend, that we saw a bigger gap in Q1.

Christian Nilsson: It also fits what we've said the whole time on the price to cost input trend, that we still have a bigger gap in Q1. We shrunk that gap now a little bit in Q2, we expect to improve that, as we have said earlier, in H2 of the year too, which is also contributing to this.

Speaker #4: We shrunk that gap a little bit in Q2, and then we expect to improve that, as we have said earlier, in the second half of the year too, which is also a contributor to this.

Speaker #2: Yeah.

Morten Wierod: Yep.

Speaker #3: Thank you. And then we take the next question from Sean at HSBC via the conference call line.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Thank you. We'll take the next question from Sean at HSBC via the conference call line.

Speaker #7: Good morning. Thank you for taking my question. I was intrigued to see that you're now specifying data center cooling as one of the order segments within Motion.

[Analyst] (HSBC): Good morning. Thank you for taking my question. I was intrigued to see that you're now specifying data center cooling as one of the order segments within Motion. Just keen to get a little bit more detail here. How much of total Motion is data center cooling now? What kind of growth rates do you see? Is this also a triple digit growth area? Specifically, I believe you've talked about being a component supplier to cooling. Maybe a little bit where you see the key drivers of your growth ambitions in data center cooling. Thank you.

Sean McLoughlin: Good morning. Thank you for taking my question. I was intrigued to see that you're now specifying data center cooling as one of the order segments within Motion. Just keen to get a little bit more detail here. How much of total Motion is data center cooling now? What kind of growth rates do you see? Is this also a triple digit growth area? Specifically, I believe you've talked about being a component supplier to cooling. Maybe a little bit where you see the key drivers of your growth ambitions in data center cooling. Thank you.

Speaker #7: So just keen to get a little bit more more detail here I mean how much of total motion are data center is data center cooling now and you know what kind of growth rates do you see is this also a triple digit growth area and specifically I believe you've talked about being a component supplier to cooling.

Speaker #7: Maybe you could talk a little bit about where you see the key drivers of your growth ambitions in data center cooling. Thank you.

Morten Wierod: Right. I can start there. Where we play as Motion with our drives and motors is to be the, as you say, component provider to the cooling companies. We are partnering with all of the major cooling companies in the world who deliver those air cooling or large chiller units that sit in the data centers today. We're also part of the cooling when it comes to the liquid cooling or the units with that is. In the end, it's a pump that is pumping that liquid into the rack. You will also see a quite good benefit from us when it comes to the liquid cooling of motors, drives, and also electrification products that it's in. That's kind of what is relevant for us.

Speaker #2: Right. Yeah. Well, I can start there. Where we play as Motion with our drives and motors is to be, as you say, the component provider to the cooling companies.

Speaker #2: And we are partnering with all of the major cooling companies in the world who deliver those air cooling or large chiller units that sit in the data centers today.

Speaker #2: We're also part of the cooling when it comes to to to the liquid cooling or the the the units with the that is do it's in in the end it's you know it's a pump that is pumping that liquid into the to the rack or so you will also see a quite good benefit from us when it comes to in the liquid cooling of motors drives and also electrification products that sits in.

Speaker #2: So that's kind of what is relevant for us. And we are partnering with all the different cooling companies, because we are not a cooling player ourselves.

Morten Wierod: We are partnering with all the different cooling companies because we are not a cooling player ourselves. We are more partnering. The end user or the hyperscaler will discuss which cooling company do they want to work with, and then we can do the electrical part, and they will do the cooling part. That's a partnership, how it works for us in cooling. In Motion, we saw a strong order intake growth also in this quarter, up comparable basis 18%. Part of that is also coming from the data center. It becomes more and more an important part through the HVAC or the cooling business of Motion. I don't think we have given out the exact percentage as we have done for electrification, but it is a good part of both the drives and the motor business that goes into these cooling companies.

Speaker #2: So, we are more partnering there, and then the end user or the hyperscaler will discuss which cooling company they want to work with. Then we can do the electrical part, and they will do the cooling part.

Speaker #2: That's a partnership—how it works for us in cooling. In Motion, we saw strong order intake growth also in this quarter, up on a comparable basis by 18%.

Speaker #2: Part of that is also coming from the data center. It becomes more and more an important part through H kind of the HVAC or the cooling business of motion I don't have the exact I don't think we have given out the exact percentage as we have done for electrification but it is a good part of the both the drives and the motor business that goes into these cooling companies but it's very often a similar unit that sits in a data center that you will sit on top of a large commercial building when you need to cool cool a building.

Morten Wierod: It's very often a similar unit that sits in a data center that you will sit on top of a large commercial building when you need to cool a building. That doesn't really matter if it's data center or a commercial building, as an example.

Speaker #2: That doesn't really matter if it's a data center or a commercial building, as an example.

Speaker #3: But I think it's fair to say that we don't see the growth rates as high as you see in Electrification.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: I think it's fair to say that we don't see the growth rates are not as high as you see in electrification.

Morten Wierod: No.

Speaker #2: No.

Speaker #3: And then we take the next question from Daniela at Goldman. Please, your line should be open.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: We take the next question from Daniela at Goldman. Please, your line should be open.

Speaker #8: Hi, good morning. I hope you can hear me. I was wondering, sort of following up on data centers, more into the developments that are coming up, where people discussed a lot about VDC800. I think we've seen some of your Asian peers starting to sign VDC800-related MOUs.

[Analyst] (Goldman): Hi, good morning. Hope you can hear me. I was wondering, sort of following up on data center, more into the developments that are coming up where people discussed a lot 800 VDC. I think we've seen some of your Asian peers starting to sign 800 VDC related MOUs. Do you see any momentum on that? Are any of the orders already related to that, or should we be expecting them soon? Just curious how you see the development for that, if it is still far away or starting to materialize.

Daniela Costa: Hi, good morning. Hope you can hear me. I was wondering, sort of following up on data center, more into the developments that are coming up where people discussed a lot 800 VDC. I think we've seen some of your Asian peers starting to sign 800 VDC related MOUs. Do you see any momentum on that? Are any of the orders already related to that, or should we be expecting them soon? Just curious how you see the development for that, if it is still far away or starting to materialize.

Speaker #8: Do you see any momentum on that? Are any of the orders already related to that, or should we be expecting them soon? Just curious how you see the development for that—if it is still far away, or starting to materialize?

Speaker #2: Yeah. We have zero orders in the backlog for 800-volt DC data centers. And nobody has, because there is waiting for the kind of availability of components from Nvidia and the like.

Morten Wierod: Yeah. We have zero order in the backlog for 800 volt DC data centers. Nobody has, because there is waiting for the kind of availability of components from the NVIDIA and the like. That's the next step. Of course, what we are working on is building up the complete portfolio so we are ready to support that 800 volt DC data center architecture, which is coming more into the late 2027 or 2028 onwards. That's where this will start to have a commercial impact. The investment we are doing right now is on the technology side. DC has been a high focus and high attention for us for many, many years. We are already a leading player in the field of DC switches, DC breakers, DC components.

Speaker #2: So that's the next step. But of course, what we are working on is building up the complete portfolio, so we are ready to support that 800-volt DC data center architecture, which is coming more into the late '27 or '28 onwards.

Speaker #2: That's where this will start to have a commercial impact. But the investment we are doing right now is on the technology side. DC has been a high focus and high attention for us for many, many years.

Speaker #2: We are already a leading player in the in the field of of DC switches DC breakers DC components and then we also see that more of this will move to some of the medium voltage sides with with the new architecture which again it will give new opportunities for our medium voltage UPS and so here this is a field that we are allocating quite a lot of over R&D investment into that area we're also doing partnership we made and also acquisitions we announced a couple of data days ago an acquisition in France Avantix that is coming in with DC technology with silicon carbide technology and joining the electrification team supporting also here DC and data center.

Morten Wierod: We also see that more of this will move to some of the medium voltage sides with the new architecture, which again, it will give new opportunities for our medium voltage UPS. Here, this is a field that we are allocating quite a lot of our R&D investment into that area. We're also doing partnership we made, and also acquisitions. We announced a couple of days ago, an acquisition in France, Advantics, that is coming in with DC technology, with silicon carbide technology, and joining the electrification team, supporting also here, DC and data center. It's an area of high attention for us. Most of the development work we'll do in-house, also with some acquisition and partnership.

Speaker #2: So it's a an area of high attention for us most of the development work will we'll do in-house but then also with some acquisition and partnership and that is we believe this is a a good opportunity for ABB because as you may know DC technology and DC grid is what we were one of the first companies here or the first company to talk about DC grids in ships which is today the standard and we are using a lot of that know-how and internal development also now into that data center space and so that that is more to come on this topic throughout the year on how we seeing seeing that future.

Morten Wierod: We believe this is a good opportunity for ABB because as you may know, DC technology and DC grid, we were one of the first companies here, or the first company to talk about DC grids in ships, which is today the standard. We are using a lot of that knowhow and internal development also now into that data center space. That is more to come on this topic throughout the year, on how we're seeing that future.

Speaker #3: Yeah. Maybe a bit of a commercial break here for our webcast on the 24th of September on the DC topic. You'll find the details on our website, ABB Investor Relations.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Yeah, maybe a bit of a commercial break here for our webcast on the 24 September on the DC topic. You'll find the details on the website, ABB Investor Relations. We open up for a question from Kulwinder at AlphaValue, please.

Speaker #3: And then we open up for a question from Kulwinda at Alpha Value. Please.

Speaker #7: Yeah. Good morning, everyone. So my question was also on Road Talk, and I wanted to actually just understand the service opportunity a bit better.

[Analyst] (AlphaValue): Yeah. Good morning, everyone. My question was also on Rotork, I wanted to actually just understand the service opportunity a bit better. What is the potential for you to increase the penetration of service within Rotork? Because as I understand, it's about 24% of 2025 sales, the company was already on a trajectory to increase that. I just wanted to see where ABB could take it. Does Rotork also give you a sliver of opportunities on the data center cooling and nuclear side as well? Thank you.

Kulwinder Rajpal: Yeah. Good morning, everyone. My question was also on Rotork, I wanted to actually just understand the service opportunity a bit better. What is the potential for you to increase the penetration of service within Rotork? Because as I understand, it's about 24% of 2025 sales, the company was already on a trajectory to increase that. I just wanted to see where ABB could take it. Does Rotork also give you a sliver of opportunities on the data center cooling and nuclear side as well? Thank you.

Speaker #7: What is the potential for you to increase the penetration of service within RoadTalk? Because as I understand, it's about 24% of 2025 sales, and the company was already on a trajectory to increase that.

Speaker #7: So I just wanted to see where ABB could take it. And then, does roadmap also give us a flavor of opportunities on the data center cooling and nuclear side as well?

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Now, thanks. As I say, I will not go into the numbers, as that is for a later stage in this process. But what I can say is that service is one of the areas where we believe that the ABB service network can help and accelerate a well-performing service business already—and expand that even more.

Morten Wierod: Well, thanks. As I say, I will not go into the numbers as that is for a later stage in this process. What I can say is that service is one of the areas where we believe that the ABB service network can help and accelerate a well-performing service business already, to expand that even more. We believe that is one of the good opportunities. Of course, there are many areas you mentioned, for instance, both data center, where you do need actuators for cooling applications, the marine side, the nuclear side, and power. They are all areas where actuators and electric actuators are needed and beneficial, that is more of areas that needs to be, of course, explored. I will leave that to a later stage when we have closed the transaction and when we take this business together.

Morten Wierod: Can help and accelerate a well-performing service business already, to expand that even more. We believe that is one of the good opportunities. Of course, there are many areas you mentioned, for instance, both data center, where you do need actuators for cooling applications, the marine side, the nuclear side, and power. They are all areas where actuators and electric actuators are needed and beneficial, that is more of areas that needs to be, of course, explored. I will leave that to a later stage when we have closed the transaction and when we take this business together.

Speaker #2: We believe that is one of the the good opportunities and then of course there are many areas you mentioned for instance both data center where you do do need actuators for cooling applications the marine side there is many the nuclear side in power there are all areas where actuators and electric actuators are needed and and beneficials and that is more of kind of for areas that needs to be of course explored but I I will leave that to the a later stage when we have have have closed the transaction and when we take this business together.

Speaker #3: Very good. And we have a couple of minutes left, so let's see if we can squeeze one more question in. We’ll open up the line for Alessandro at Octavian.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: Very good. We have a couple of minutes left, so let's see if we can squeeze one more question in. We open up the line for Alessandro at Octavian, please.

Speaker #3: Please.

[Analyst] (Octavian): Yes, good morning. Thank you, everybody for taking my question. It's on Rotork as well. I guess you might tell me that you postponed the answer here, but I would like to mark the point. If I look at your indication for the acquisition multiple after synergies in mid-teen level, I make a couple of calculation with a few assumptions on the depreciation, et cetera, I calculate a return on invested capital on this $5.5 billion, I don't know, between 5% and 10%, I would say. In my opinion, you kind of need to double EBIT on this acquisition going forward. Do you agree with this, do you have a plan to do that? Can you share some indications?

Alessandro Foletti: Yes, good morning. Thank you, everybody for taking my question. It's on Rotork as well. I guess you might tell me that you postponed the answer here, but I would like to mark the point. If I look at your indication for the acquisition multiple after synergies in mid-teen level, I make a couple of calculation with a few assumptions on the depreciation, et cetera, I calculate a return on invested capital on this $5.5 billion, I don't know, between 5% and 10%, I would say. In my opinion, you kind of need to double EBIT on this acquisition going forward. Do you agree with this, do you have a plan to do that? Can you share some indications?

Speaker #7: Yes, good morning. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, for taking my question. It’s on Road Talk as well, and I guess you might tell me that you’ll postpone the answer here.

Speaker #7: But I would like to mark the point. If I look at your indication for the multiple acquisition multiples as the synergies in meeting level, and I make a couple of calculations with a few assumptions on the depreciation, etc.

Speaker #7: I calculate a return on invested capital on this $5.5 billion—like, I don't know, between 5 and 10% I would say. So, in my opinion, you kind of need to double EBIT on this acquisition going forward.

Speaker #7: Do you agree with this, and do you have a plan to do that? Can you share some indications?

Speaker #2: Well maybe not to necessarily counter your calculation here but let's like like we said if we look at the multiple at at at acquisition at 19 and a half we do feel that we have synergy opportunities that will bring that into the mid teens.

Christian Nilsson: Well, maybe not to necessarily counter your calculation here, but like we said, if we look at the multiple at acquisition at 19.5, we do feel that we have synergy opportunities that will bring that into the mid-teens. Those synergies, as we have referred to before, it's going to be both on the cost side, but majority on the commercial and growth side. I think, we certainly don't come to the calculation that we have to double the EBIT, if I understood your question right. This is a high-performing business that will be accretive to ABB, second year accretive to our EPS, and it comes in at high performance levels. We look forward to utilizing these synergies, like I said. Yeah, I think that's it.

Speaker #2: And those synergies, as we have referred to before, are going to be both on the cost side, but the majority on the commercial and growth side.

Speaker #2: So I think we certainly don't come to the calculation that we have to that we have to double the EBIT that if I understood your question right this is this is a high performing business that will be accreted to ABB second year accretive to our EPS and and and it comes in at a high high performance levels and we're look forward to that utilizing these synergies like we said I think that's it.

Speaker #3: That's it. And that's also it for this call. We're up on the hour, so we'll close it here. Again, a reminder about that commercial break for the webcast on the 24th of September.

Ann-Sofie Nordh: That's it. That's also it for this call. We're up on the hour, we close it here. Again, a reminder then about that commercial break for the webcast on 24 September. I hope to see you there. Until then, have a nice summer.

Speaker #3: I hope to see you there, and until then, have a nice summer.

Speaker #2: Thanks.

Christian Nilsson: Thanks.

[Company Representative] (ABB): Electrifying. Automating. Partnering with our customers to keep them not just running consistently, but running more productively and more efficiently to constantly outperform. At ABB, we call this Outrun, and it is how we help industries become leaner and cleaner. ABB, engineered to Outrun. Industries are the beating heart of our world. They move us, supply us, shelter us, power us, and connect us. They improve our homes, our cities, and our environment. Behind them all is ABB. Electrifying. Automating. Partnering with our customers to keep them not just running consistently, but running more productively and more efficiently to constantly outperform. At ABB, we call this Outrun, and it is how we help industries become leaner and cleaner.

Speaker #8: Electrifying. Automating. Partnering with our customers to keep them not just running consistently, but running more productively and more efficiently. To constantly outperform. At ABB, we call this "outrun."

Speaker #8: And it's how we help industries become leaner and cleaner. ABB, engineered to outrun. Industries are the beating heart of our world. They move us.

Speaker #8: Supply us. Shelter us. Power us. Connect us. They improve our homes, our cities, our environments. And behind them all is ABB: electrifying, automating, partnering with our customers.

Speaker #8: To keep them not just running consistently, but running more productively and more efficiently. To constantly outperform. At ABB, we call this "outrun." And it's how we help industries become leaner.

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