ABB has reported record quarterly orders as surging investment in data centres, electrification and critical infrastructure continues to drive demand across its global operations.
The Swiss engineering and technology group recorded orders of $12.1 billion during the third quarter of 2026, representing a 40 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Revenue rose 14 per cent to $9.7 billion, while operational EBITA increased 24 per cent to just over $2 billion.
The results underline how rapidly expanding investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure is translating into growth for companies supplying the electrical, automation and power technologies behind the world’s data centres.
Data Centres Drive Demand
Data centres were one of the strongest areas of growth for ABB during the quarter.
Orders linked to the sector more than doubled as technology companies and infrastructure developers continued investing heavily in new computing capacity.
Large AI workloads require significant power distribution, cooling and electrical infrastructure, creating opportunities for engineering groups capable of supplying those systems at scale.
ABB provides equipment across areas including electrification, automation, power distribution and energy management, making the company an increasingly important supplier to the rapidly expanding data-centre industry.
The growth comes as global investment in AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, with hyperscale operators building larger facilities requiring significantly higher power capacity than traditional data centres.
“AI investment is increasingly becoming an infrastructure story — and ABB is emerging as one of the industrial beneficiaries.”
Strong Performance Across the Business
ABB’s Q3 performance extended beyond data centres.
Total revenue reached $9.7 billion, up from $8.5 billion in the same period last year, while income from operations increased 15 per cent to $1.85 billion.
Operational EBITA rose to $2.03 billion, with the margin improving to 20.8 per cent.
Cash flow from operating activities increased five per cent to $1.86 billion, while free cash flow reached $1.58 billion.
Across the first nine months of 2026, ABB recorded orders of $35.4 billion, representing growth of 34 per cent in reported terms.
Revenue over the same period reached $27.9 billion, up 15 per cent year-on-year.
Electrification Becomes a Growth Engine
ABB’s results highlight the increasingly important role of electrification within global investment.
Demand for electricity is rising as economies expand data-centre capacity, modernise industrial facilities and invest in renewable energy, transport and digital infrastructure.
That is creating strong demand for technologies capable of managing and distributing power safely and efficiently.
For ABB, electrification has become a key growth area, particularly as customers invest in infrastructure capable of supporting higher power requirements.
The company also continues to expand its presence through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
ABB recently announced a $495 million investment for a 51 per cent stake in a low-voltage power distribution joint venture with Mitsubishi Electric, strengthening its position within Japan’s electrification market and expanding its footprint across Asia-Pacific.
AI Investment Spreads Across Industry
The results also provide another example of how the artificial intelligence boom is benefiting industries beyond software and semiconductor companies.
Building the infrastructure required to operate AI systems depends on a broad ecosystem of businesses supplying power systems, cooling technology, electrical equipment, construction and automation.
That means investment in artificial intelligence is increasingly flowing into traditional industrial sectors.
ABB sits directly within that trend.
Its technologies are used across data centres, factories, utilities, transport and infrastructure, placing the company at the intersection of digitalisation and physical infrastructure.
Outlook Strengthens
Following the strong third quarter, ABB raised its outlook for full-year revenue growth.
The company now expects comparable revenue growth for 2026 to reach the low-teens percentage range, supported by continued strong customer demand.
ABB Chief Executive Morten Wierod described the market environment as vibrant, with the company benefiting from strong demand across key segments.
The record order intake also gives ABB increased visibility over future revenue as projects move from order books into delivery.
Infrastructure Investment Creates New Opportunities
ABB’s latest results demonstrate the scale of investment currently flowing into global infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence, electrification and industrial automation are creating new demand not only for computing hardware but for the physical systems required to power, manage and operate increasingly complex facilities.
For engineering companies capable of supplying those systems, the opportunity is significant.
With record quarterly orders, double-digit revenue growth and increasing exposure to rapidly expanding sectors such as data centres, ABB enters the final quarter of 2026 with strong momentum.
Its performance provides another sign that the global investment cycle surrounding AI and electrification is beginning to deliver substantial growth across the wider industrial economy.