ABB Lodges $5.5 Billion Takeover Offer for Rotork

01:35 AM EDT, 07/16/2026 (MT Newswires) -- ABB (ABBN.SW, ABB.ST) said Thursday it launched a $5.5 billion takeover proposal for industrial valve manufacturer Rotork (ROR.L). Under the deal, the electrification and automation company is offering 5.03 pounds sterling per share in cash, plus an entitlement to an interim dividend of up to 0.03 pound per share. It received unanimous approval and commitment of recommendation for the transaction from the directors of the target. ABB will finance the transaction through existing cash resources and committed bank facilities. Additionally, the company's sale of its robotics business to SoftBank is expected to generate net cash proceeds of $4.8 billion, further strengthening its liquidity. The group intends to integrate Rotork into its automation business area as a separate division. The transaction is expected to be 3% accretive to the offeror's revenue. Completion is expected in the first half of 2027, subject to the approval of the target's shareholders and relevant regulators.