SoftBank Acquires ABB Robotics in Multi-Billion Dollar Deal Amidst Mixed Global Market Signals

Key TakeawaysSoftBank Group Corp. (SFTBY) has agreed to acquire ABB's (ABB) robotics division for an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, a strategic move by Masayoshi Son to integrate top technology and talent for AI-robotics. ABB anticipates a significant ~$2.4 billion pretax book gain from the divestment, which is expected to close by mid-to-late 2026.The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) delivered an outsized 50 basis point rate cut, lowering its official cash rate (OCR) to 2.50% and signaling openness ...