ABB posts record Q2 orders, raises 2026 outlook again

Shares of ABB India soared nearly 10% on Thursday to hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 7,924.50, after Swiss parent ABB Ltd reported record quarterly orders and raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance.new.abb+1

The rally was triggered by ABB's Q2 2026 results, released on July 16, which showed orders surging 30% year-on-year to a record $12 billion and revenues climbing 14% to $9.48 billion. The company raised its full-year 2026 comparable revenue growth forecast to "low double-digit to low-teens," up from a previous expectation of "high single-digit to low double-digit" growth.ctpost+1

Record Orders and AI-Driven Demand

ABB CEO Morten Wierod attributed the quarter's strength to "high demand in the majority of our customer segments, strong execution and solid cash flow". The company's Operational EBITA margin expanded 90 basis points to 20.2%, while earnings per share rose 8%.new.abb

India was among the standout geographies in the quarter, with ABB reporting 81% order growth in the country. The data center buildout powering artificial intelligence workloads has been a consistent tailwind for ABB's electrification and automation businesses globally.globalbankingandfinance+2

Broader Context

ABB India's stock has been on a sustained upswing in 2026, having gained over 50% since the start of the calendar year. The parent company had already raised its outlook once in April after Q1 results showed 32% order growth and 18% revenue increases, driven by data center and grid-related demand.reuters+1

Thursday's further guidance upgrade also comes alongside ABB's announcement of a recommended offer to acquire UK-listed Rotork for approximately $5.5 billion, funded largely through expected proceeds from the divestment of ABB Robotics. ABB also announced plans to invest approximately $200 million in medium-voltage manufacturing across Europe over the next three years.new.abb

Outlook

For Q3 2026, ABB guided for low- to mid-teens comparable revenue growth and sequential margin improvement. The raised full-year guidance reflects confidence in sustained demand from electrification and automation megatrends, positioning ABB India as a beneficiary of the parent's accelerating growth trajectory.new.abb