ABB Q2 202 Financial Information
ABB Q2 202 Financial Information
ABB Q2 202 Financial Information
Q2 2024
Financial information
03 ─ 07 Key Figures
CHANGE
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) H1 2024 H1 2023 US$ Comparable(1)
Orders 17,409 18,117 -4% -2%
Revenues 16,109 16,022 1% 3%
Gross Profit 6,109 5,604 9%
as % of revenues 37.9% 35.0% +2.9 pts
Income from operations 2,593 2,496 4%
Operational EBITA(1) 2,981 2,702 10% 11%(2)
as % of operational revenues(1) 18.4% 16.9% +1.5 pts
Income from continuing operations, net of tax 2,018 1,997 1%
Net income attributable to ABB 2,001 1,942 3%
Basic earnings per share ($) 1.09 1.04 4%(3)
Cash flow from operating activities 1,793 1,042 72%
Free cash flow(1) 1,469 768 91%
(1) For a reconciliation of alternative performance measures see “Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions” on page 32.
(2) Constant currency (not adjusted for portfolio changes).
(3) EPS growth rates are computed using unrounded amounts.
Income from operations 1,376 1,298 837 713 369 380 274 270 46 119
Acquisition-related amortization 57 55 23 22 8 9 2 2 20 19
Restructuring, related and
implementation costs(1) 50 13 8 4 14 1 – 2 20 –
Changes in obligations related to
divested businesses (11) (8) – 1 – – – – – –
Gains and losses from sale of businesses 55 (26) 24 – – – – (26) – –
Acquisition- and divestment-related
expenses and integration costs 18 26 19 12 2 8 1 (2) 5 2
Certain other non-operational items 50 41 (1) 6 – 1 (5) – (2) 1
Foreign exchange/commodity timing
differences in income from operations (31) 26 (23) 29 (5) 2 (9) (7) 4 –
Operational EBITA 1,564 1,425 887 787 388 401 263 239 93 141
Operational EBITA margin (%) 19.0% 17.5% 23.2% 21.1% 19.9% 20.4% 15.5% 15.4% 11.1% 15.3%
Income from operations 2,593 2,496 1,606 1,368 670 733 508 470 137 234
Acquisition-related amortization 113 109 46 44 17 17 3 3 41 39
Restructuring, related and
implementation costs(1) 76 41 18 12 22 2 7 4 20 –
Changes in obligations related to
divested businesses (11) (5) – 1 – – – – – –
Gains and losses from sale of businesses 57 (26) 24 – – – – (26) – –
Acquisition- and divestment-related
expenses and integration costs 37 45 29 19 2 12 1 1 7 4
Certain other non-operational items 113 40 2 9 3 3 (5) – (1) 3
Foreign exchange/commodity timing
differences in income from operations 3 2 (12) 11 17 – 2 (8) 2 1
Operational EBITA 2,981 2,702 1,713 1,464 731 767 516 444 206 281
Operational EBITA margin (%) 18.4% 16.9% 22.8% 20.0% 19.2% 19.6% 15.5% 14.8% 12.2% 15.1%
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, CHF 0.12 par value
(1,861 million and 1,882 million shares issued at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively) 162 163
Additional paid-in capital 9 7
Retained earnings 18,783 19,724
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,016) (5,070)
Treasury stock, at cost
(12 million and 40 million shares at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively) (469) (1,414)
Total ABB stockholders’ equity 13,469 13,410
Noncontrolling interests 597 647
Total stockholders’ equity 14,066 14,057
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 39,281 40,940
Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.
Balance at January 1, 2023 171 141 20,082 (4,556) (3,061) 12,777 410 13,187
Net income(1) 1,942 1,942 47 1,989
Foreign currency translation
adjustments, net of tax of $(2) (76) (76) (3) (79)
Effect of change in fair value of
available-for-sale securities,
net of tax of $2 7 7 7
Unrecognized income (expense)
related to pensions and other
postretirement plans,
net of tax of $4 (5) (5) (5)
Change in derivative instruments
and hedges, net of tax of $1 3 3 3
Issuance of subsidiary shares 170 170 168 338
Other changes in
noncontrolling interests (6) (6) 4 (2)
Dividends to
noncontrolling shareholders – (84) (84)
Dividends to shareholders (1,706) (1,706) (1,706)
Cancellation of treasury shares (7) (201) (2,359) 2,567 – –
Share-based payment arrangements 62 62 1 63
Purchase of treasury stock (464) (464) (464)
Delivery of shares (153) 249 96 96
Other (3) (3) (3)
Balance at June 30, 2023 163 11 17,958 (4,627) (709) 12,796 544 13,340
Balance at January 1, 2024 163 7 19,724 (5,070) (1,414) 13,410 647 14,057
Net income(1) 2,001 2,001 15 2,016
Foreign currency translation
adjustments, net of tax of $2 1 1 (16) (15)
Effect of change in fair value of
available-for-sale securities,
net of tax of $0 (1) (1) (1)
Unrecognized income (expense)
related to pensions and other
postretirement plans,
net of tax of $20 50 50 50
Change in derivative instruments
and hedges, net of tax of $0 4 4 4
Changes in noncontrolling interests (10) (62) (72) 44 (28)
Dividends to
noncontrolling shareholders – (95) (95)
Dividends to shareholders (1,804) (1,804) (1,804)
Cancellation of treasury shares (2) (2) (828) 832 – –
Share-based payment arrangements 44 44 2 46
Purchase of treasury stock (552) (552) (552)
Delivery of shares (25) (249) 664 390 390
Other (5) (5) 2 (3)
Balance at June 30, 2024 162 9 18,783 (5,016) (469) 13,469 597 14,066
(1) Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, exclude net losses of $1 million and $2 million, respectively, related to
redeemable noncontrolling interests, which are reported in the mezzanine equity section on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.
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Note 1
The Company and basis of presentation
ABB Ltd and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) together form a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more
sustainable and resource-efficient future. The Company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are
manufactured, moved, powered, and operated.
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Information is prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles
(U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. As such, the Consolidated Financial Information does not include all the information and notes required under
U.S. GAAP for annual consolidated financial statements. Therefore, such financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The preparation of financial information in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates that directly affect the
amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Information. These accounting assumptions and estimates include:
• estimates to determine valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and amounts recorded for unrecognized tax benefits,
• estimates related to credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of financial assets such as trade and other receivables, loans and
other instruments,
• estimates of loss contingencies associated with litigation or threatened litigation and other claims and inquiries, environmental damages,
product warranties, self-insurance reserves, regulatory and other proceedings,
• assumptions and projections, principally related to future material, labor and project-related overhead costs, used in determining the
percentage-of-completion on projects where revenue is recognized over time, as well as the amount of variable consideration the Company
expects to be entitled to,
• assumptions used in the calculation of pension and postretirement benefits and the fair value of pension plan assets,
• estimates used to record expected costs for employee severance in connection with restructuring programs,
• assumptions used in determining inventory obsolescence and net realizable value,
• growth rates, discount rates and other assumptions used to determine impairment of long-lived assets and in testing goodwill for
impairment,
• estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, and
• estimates and assumptions used in determining the initial fair value of retained noncontrolling interests and certain obligations in connection
with divestments.
The actual results and outcomes may differ from the Company’s estimates and assumptions.
A portion of the Company’s activities (primarily long-term construction activities) has an operating cycle that exceeds one year. For classification of
current assets and liabilities related to such activities, the Company elected to use the duration of the individual contracts as its operating cycle.
Accordingly, there are accounts receivable, contract assets, inventories and provisions related to these contracts which will not be realized within one
year that have been classified as current.
Basis of presentation
In the opinion of management, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Information contains all necessary adjustments to present fairly the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows for the reported periods. Management considers all such adjustments to be of a normal recurring nature.
The Consolidated Financial Information is presented in United States dollars ($) unless otherwise stated. Due to rounding, numbers presented in the
Consolidated Financial Information may not add to the totals provided.
Certain amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Information for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s
presentation.
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Note 3
Acquisitions and equity-accounted companies
Acquisition of controlling interests
Acquisitions of controlling interests were as follows:
Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30,
($ in millions, except number of acquired businesses) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Purchase price for acquisitions (net of cash acquired)(1) 104 114 75 113
Aggregate excess of purchase price over
fair value of net assets acquired(2) 89 54 60 50
Number of acquired businesses 3 2 1 2
(1) Excluding changes in cost- and equity-accounted companies.
(2) Recorded as goodwill.
In the table above, the “Purchase price for acquisitions” and “Aggregate excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired” amounts in the
six months ended June 30, 2024, relate primarily to the acquisition of DTN Europe B.V.
Acquisitions of controlling interests have been accounted for under the acquisition method and have been included in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements since the date of acquisition.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities
assumed at the acquisition date, the purchase price allocation for acquisitions is preliminary for up to 12 months after the acquisition date and is
subject to refinement as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information about the fair values of the assets and liabilities becomes
available.
Currency risk
Due to the global nature of the Company’s operations, many of its subsidiaries are exposed to currency risk in their operating activities from entering
into transactions in currencies other than their functional currency. To manage such currency risks, the Company’s policies require its subsidiaries to
hedge their foreign currency exposures from binding sales and purchase contracts denominated in foreign currencies. For forecasted foreign currency
denominated sales of standard products and the related foreign currency denominated purchases, the Company’s policy is to hedge up to a maximum
of 100 percent of the forecasted foreign currency denominated exposures, depending on the length of the forecasted exposures. Forecasted exposures
greater than 12 months are not hedged. Forward foreign exchange contracts are the main instrument used to protect the Company against the volatility
of future cash flows (caused by changes in exchange rates) of contracted and forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. In
addition, within its treasury operations, the Company primarily uses foreign exchange swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts to manage the
currency and timing mismatches arising in its liquidity management activities.
Commodity risk
Various commodity products are used in the Company’s manufacturing activities. Consequently it is exposed to volatility in future cash flows arising
from changes in commodity prices. To manage the price risk of commodities, the Company’s policies require that its subsidiaries hedge the commodity
price risk exposures from binding contracts, as well as at least 50 percent (up to a maximum of 100 percent) of the forecasted commodity exposure over
the next 12 months or longer (up to a maximum of 18 months). Primarily swap contracts are used to manage the associated price risks of commodities.
Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Gains (losses) recognized in Interest and other finance expense:
Interest rate contracts Designated as fair value hedges 10 18 (3) 8
Hedged item (10) (18) 4 (8)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps Designated as fair value hedges (5) (10) (2) 1
Hedged item 6 – 3 (2)
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, the Company is required to split and account separately for foreign currency derivatives that are embedded
within certain binding sales or purchase contracts denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary and the counterparty.
The gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Income Statements on derivatives not designated in hedging relationships were as follows:
The fair values of derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
Close-out netting agreements provide for the termination, valuation and net settlement of some or all outstanding transactions between two
counterparties on the occurrence of one or more pre-defined trigger events.
Although the Company is party to close-out netting agreements with most derivative counterparties, the fair values in the tables above and in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, have been presented on a gross basis.
The Company’s netting agreements and other similar arrangements allow net settlements under certain conditions. At June 30, 2024, and December 31,
2023, information related to these offsetting arrangements was as follows:
Fair value is the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation techniques including the market approach (using observable
market data for identical or similar assets and liabilities), the income approach (discounted cash flow models) and the cost approach (using costs a
market participant would incur to develop a comparable asset). Inputs used to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities are defined by a
three-level hierarchy, depending on the nature of those inputs. The Company has categorized its financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets
measured at fair value within this hierarchy based on whether the inputs to the valuation technique are observable or unobservable. An observable input
is based on market data obtained from independent sources, while an unobservable input reflects the Company’s assumptions about market data.
Level 1: Valuation inputs consist of quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities (observable quoted prices). Assets and liabilities
valued using Level 1 inputs include exchange‑traded equity securities, listed derivatives which are actively traded such as commodity futures,
interest rate futures and certain actively traded debt securities.
Level 2: Valuation inputs consist of observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as actively quoted prices for similar assets, quoted prices in
inactive markets and inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rate yield curves, credit spreads, or inputs derived from other observable
data by interpolation, correlation, regression or other means. The adjustments applied to quoted prices or the inputs used in valuation models
may be both observable and unobservable. In these cases, the fair value measurement is classified as Level 2 unless the unobservable portion of
the adjustment or the unobservable input to the valuation model is significant, in which case the fair value measurement would be classified as
Level 3. Assets and liabilities valued or disclosed using Level 2 inputs include investments in certain funds, certain debt securities that are not
actively traded, interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts, foreign
exchange swaps and forward rate agreements, time deposits, as well as financing receivables and debt.
Level 3: Valuation inputs are based on the Company’s assumptions of relevant market data (unobservable input).
Whenever quoted prices involve bid-ask spreads, the Company ordinarily determines fair values based on mid-market quotes. When determining fair
values based on quoted prices in an active market, the Company considers if the level of transaction activity for the financial instrument has significantly
decreased or would not be considered orderly. In such cases, the resulting changes in valuation techniques would be disclosed. If the market is
considered disorderly or if quoted prices are not available, the Company is required to use another valuation technique, such as an income approach.
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities—current in “Other current liabilities” – 119 – 119
Derivative liabilities—non-current in “Other non-current liabilities” – 285 – 285
Total – 404 – 404
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities—current in “Other current liabilities” – 230 – 230
Derivative liabilities—non-current in “Other non-current liabilities” – 246 – 246
Total – 476 – 476
• Securities in “Marketable securities and short-term investments”: If quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets are available,
these are considered Level 1 inputs; however, when markets are not active, these inputs are considered Level 2. If such quoted market prices
are not available, fair value is determined using market prices for similar assets or present value techniques, applying an appropriate risk-free
interest rate adjusted for non-performance risk. The inputs used in present value techniques are observable and fall into the Level 2 category.
• Derivatives: The fair values of derivative instruments are determined using quoted prices of identical instruments from an active market, if
available (Level 1 inputs). If quoted prices are not available, price quotes for similar instruments, appropriately adjusted, or present value
techniques, based on available market data, or option pricing models are used. The fair values obtained using price quotes for similar
instruments or valuation techniques represent a Level 2 input unless significant unobservable inputs are used.
Liabilities
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt
(excluding finance lease obligations) 379 335 44 – 379
Long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations) 6,166 6,163 8 – 6,171
Liabilities
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt
(excluding finance lease obligations) 2,576 2,521 55 – 2,576
Long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations) 5,060 5,096 5 – 5,101
The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial instruments carried on a cost basis:
• Cash and equivalents (excluding securities with original maturities up to 3 months), Restricted cash, and Marketable securities and short-term
investments (excluding securities): The carrying amounts approximate the fair values as the items are short-term in nature or, for cash held in
banks, are equal to the deposit amount.
• Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations): Short-term debt includes commercial paper,
bank borrowings and overdrafts. The carrying amounts of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, excluding finance lease
obligations, approximate their fair values.
• Long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations): Fair values of bonds are determined using quoted market prices (Level 1 inputs), if
available. For bonds without available quoted market prices and other long-term debt, the fair values are determined using a discounted cash
flow methodology based upon borrowing rates of similar debt instruments and reflecting appropriate adjustments for non-performance risk
(Level 2 inputs).
($ in millions) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 June 30, 2023
Contract assets 1,118 1,090 1,010
Contract liabilities 2,973 2,844 2,394
Contract assets primarily relate to the Company’s right to receive consideration for work completed but for which no invoice has been issued at the
reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when rights to receive payment become unconditional. Management expects that the
majority of the amounts will be collected within one year of the respective balance sheet date.
Contract liabilities primarily relate to up-front advances received on orders from customers as well as amounts invoiced to customers in excess of
revenues recognized predominantly on long-term projects. Contract liabilities are reduced as work is performed and as revenues are recognized.
The significant changes in the Contract assets and Contract liabilities balances were as follows:
Revenue recognized, which was included in the Contract liabilities balance at Jan 1, 2024/2023 (1,084) (966)
Additions to Contract liabilities - excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period 1,301 1,102
Receivables recognized that were included in the Contract assets balance at Jan 1, 2024/2023 (516) (465)
The Company considers its order backlog to represent its unsatisfied performance obligations. At June 30, 2024, the Company had unsatisfied
performance obligations totaling $22,047 million and, of this amount, the Company expects to fulfill approximately 49% percent of the obligations in
2024, approximately 33% percent of the obligations in 2025 and the balance thereafter.
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Note 8
Supplier finance programs
The Company has several supplier finance programs, all with similar characteristics, with various financial institutions acting as paying agent. These
programs allow qualifying suppliers access to bank facilities which permit earlier payment at a cost to the supplier. The Company’s payment terms
related to suppliers’ finance programs are not impacted by the suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under the arrangements and are typically consistent
with local market practices. Outstanding supplier finance obligations are included in “Accounts payable, trade” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and
are reported as operating or investing (if capitalized) activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows when paid. At June 30, 2024, and
December 31, 2023, the total obligation outstanding under supplier finance programs amounted to $485 million and $415 million, respectively.
Short-term debt primarily represented short-term bank borrowings from various banks.
In May 2024, the Company repaid at maturity its EUR 750 million 0.75% EUR Instruments, equivalent to $816 million on date of repayment. In April 2024,
the Company repaid at maturity its EUR 700 million 0.625% EUR Instruments, equivalent to $752 million on date of repayment and in March 2024, the
Company repaid at maturity its EUR 500 million Floating Rate Instruments, equivalent to $539 million on date of repayment.
Long-term debt
The Company’s long-term debt at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, amounted to $6,338 million and $5,221 million, respectively.
Outstanding bonds (including maturities within the next 12 months) were as follows:
(1) USD carrying values include unamortized debt issuance costs, bond discounts or premiums, as well as adjustments for fair value hedge accounting, where appropriate.
(2) Prior to completing a cash tender offer in November 2020, the original principal amount outstanding, on each of the 3.8% USD Notes, due 2028, and the 4.375% USD
Notes, due 2042, was USD 750 million.
In January 2024, the Company issued the following EUR Instruments: (i) EUR 500 million of 3.125 percent Instruments, due 2029, and (ii) EUR 750 million
of 3.375 percent Instruments, due 2034, both paying interest annually in arrears. The aggregate net proceeds of these EUR Instruments, after discount
and fees, amounted to EUR 1,243 million (equivalent to approximately $1,360 million on date of issuance).
General
The Company is aware of proceedings, or the threat of proceedings, against it and others in respect of private claims by customers and other third
parties with regard to certain actual or alleged anticompetitive practices. Also, the Company is subject to other claims and legal proceedings, as well as
investigations carried out by various law enforcement authorities. With respect to the above-mentioned claims, regulatory matters, and any related
proceedings, the Company will bear the related costs, including costs necessary to resolve them.
Liabilities recognized
At June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had aggregate liabilities of $80 million and $101 million, respectively, included in Other provisions
and Other non‑current liabilities, for the above regulatory, compliance and legal contingencies, and none of the individual liabilities recognized was
significant. As it is not possible to make an informed judgment on, or reasonably predict, the outcome of certain matters and as it is not possible, based
on information currently available to management, to estimate the maximum potential liability on other matters, there could be adverse outcomes
beyond the amounts accrued.
Guarantees
General
The following table provides quantitative data regarding the Company’s third-party guarantees. The maximum potential payments represent a
“worst-case scenario”, and do not reflect management’s expected outcomes.
Maximum potential payments ($ in millions) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Performance guarantees 3,342 3,451
Financial guarantees 22 94
Total(1) 3,364 3,545
(1) Maximum potential payments include amounts in both continuing and discontinued operations.
The carrying amount of liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflects the Company’s best estimate of future payments, which it may
incur as part of fulfilling its guarantee obligations. In respect of the above guarantees, the carrying amounts of liabilities at June 30, 2024, and
December 31, 2023, were not significant.
The Company is party to various guarantees providing financial or performance assurances to certain third parties. These guarantees, which have
various maturities up to 2034, mainly consist of performance guarantees whereby (i) the Company guarantees the performance of a third party’s
product or service according to the terms of a contract and (ii) as member of a consortium/joint-venture that includes third parties, the Company
guarantees not only its own performance but also the work of third parties. Such guarantees may include guarantees that a project will be completed
within a specified time. If the third party does not fulfill the obligation, the Company will compensate the guaranteed party in cash or in kind. The
original maturity dates for the majority of these performance guarantees range from one to ten years.
In conjunction with the divestment of the high-voltage cable and cables accessories businesses, the Company has entered into various performance
guarantees with other parties with respect to certain liabilities of the divested business. At June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the maximum
potential payable under these guarantees amounts to $840 million and $874 million, respectively, and these guarantees have various original maturities
ranging from five to ten years.
The Company retained obligations for financial and performance guarantees related to its former Power Grids business (reported as discontinued
operations prior to its sale to Hitachi Ltd in 2020), which at both June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, have been fully indemnified by Hitachi Ltd. These
guarantees, having various maturities up to 2034, primarily consist of bank guarantees, standby letters of credit, business performance guarantees and
other trade-related guarantees, the majority of which have original maturity dates ranging from one to ten years. The maximum amount payable under
these guarantees at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, is approximately $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.
Commercial commitments
In addition, in the normal course of bidding for and executing certain projects, the Company has entered into standby letters of credit, bid/performance
bonds and surety bonds (collectively “performance bonds”) with various financial institutions. Customers can draw on such performance bonds in the
event that the Company does not fulfill its contractual obligations. The Company would then have an obligation to reimburse the financial institution for
amounts paid under the performance bonds. At June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the total outstanding performance bonds aggregated to
$3.3 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. There have been no significant amounts reimbursed to financial institutions under these types of arrangements
in the six and three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
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Note 11
Income taxes
In calculating income tax expense, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each
interim period. On a quarterly basis, the actual effective tax rate is adjusted, as appropriate, based upon changed facts and circumstances, if any, as
compared to those forecasted at the beginning of the year and each interim period thereafter.
The effective tax rate of 24.5 percent in the six months ended June 30, 2024, was higher than the effective tax rate of 19.0 percent in the six months
ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a net benefit of $206 million realized on a favorable resolution of an uncertain tax position in the six months ended
June 30, 2023, partially offset by a net benefit of $72 million from a partial reversal of an uncertain tax position related to the reassessment of certain tax
risks in the six months ended June 30, 2024. The former resulted in an increase of $0.11 in earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the six months
ended June 30, 2023, while the latter resulted in an increase of $0.04 in earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the six and three months ended
June 30, 2024.
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Note 12
Employee benefits
The Company operates defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans, and termination indemnity plans, in accordance with local
regulations and practices. At June 30, 2024, the Company’s most significant defined benefit pension plans are in Switzerland as well as in Germany, the
United Kingdom, and the United States. These plans cover a large portion of the Company’s employees and provide benefits to employees in the event
of death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment. Certain of these plans are multi-employer plans. The Company also operates other
postretirement benefit plans including postretirement health care benefits and other employee-related benefits for active employees including
long-service award plans. The postretirement benefit plans are not significant. The measurement date used for the Company’s employee benefit plans is
December 31. The funding policies of the Company’s plans are consistent with the local government and tax requirements.
Net periodic benefit cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans consists of the following:
(1) Total Non-operational pension cost (credit) includes additional credits of $(1) million and $(2) million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and
additional credits of $(1) million and $(2) million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to other postretirement benefits.
The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line Non-operational pension cost (credit) in the
Consolidated Income Statements.
The Company expects to make contributions totaling approximately $92 million to its defined benefit pension plans for the full year 2024.
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Note 13
Stockholder's equity
At the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on March 21, 2024, shareholders approved the proposal of the Board of Directors to distribute
0.87 Swiss francs per share to shareholders. The declared dividend amounted to $1,804 million, with the Company disbursing a portion in March and the
remaining amounts in April.
In March 2024, the Company completed the share buyback program that was launched in April 2023. This program was executed on a second trading line
on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Through this program, the Company purchased a total of 21 million shares for approximately $0.8 billion, of which 4 million
shares were purchased in the first quarter of 2024 (resulting in an increase in Treasury stock of $187 million).
Also in March 2024, the Company announced a new share buyback program of up to $1 billion. This program, which was launched in April 2024, is being
executed on a second trading line on the SIX Swiss Exchange and is planned to run until January 2025. Through this program, the Company purchased,
from the program’s launch in April 2024 to June 30, 2024, 4 million shares, resulting in an increase in Treasury stock of $190 million.
In the second quarter of 2024, the Company cancelled 21 million shares which had been purchased under its share buyback program. This resulted in a
decrease in Treasury stock of $832 million and a corresponding total decrease in Capital stock, Additional paid-in capital and Retained earnings.
During the first half of 2024, the Company delivered, out of treasury stock, approximately 16 million shares in connection with its Management Incentive
Plan.
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions) 1,844 1,861 1,849 1,862
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions) 1,844 1,861 1,849 1,862
Effect of dilutive securities:
Call options and shares 9 12 6 11
Adjusted weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions) 1,853 1,873 1,855 1,873
Less:
Amounts attributable to
noncontrolling interests and
redeemable noncontrolling interests (3) – – – (3)
Balance at June 30, 2023 (3,767) (12) (843) (5) (4,627)
Less:
Amounts attributable to
noncontrolling interests and
redeemable noncontrolling interests (16) – – – (16)
Balance at June 30, 2024 (3,976) (9) (1,025) (6) (5,016)
The amounts reclassified out of OCI for the six and three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, were not significant.
─
Note 16
Operating segment data
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM allocates resources to and assesses the performance of each
operating segment using the information outlined below. The Company is organized into the following segments, based on products and services:
Electrification, Motion, Process Automation and Robotics & Discrete Automation. The remaining operations of the Company are included in Corporate
and Other.
A description of the types of products and services provided by each reportable segment is as follows:
• Electrification: manufactures and sells electrical products and solutions which are designed to provide safe, smart and sustainable electrical
flow from the substation to the socket. The portfolio of increasingly digital and connected solutions includes renewable power
solutions, modular substation packages, distribution automation products, switchboards and panelboards, switchgear, UPS solutions, circuit
breakers, measuring and sensing devices, control products, wiring accessories, enclosures and cabling systems and intelligent home and
building solutions, designed to integrate and automate lighting, heating, ventilation, security and data communication networks. The
products and services are currently delivered through five operating Divisions: Distribution Solutions, Smart Power, Smart Buildings,
Installation Products and Service, as well as, prior to its sale in July 2023, the Power Conversion Division.
• Motion: designs, manufactures, and sells drives, motors, generators and traction converters that are driving the low-carbon future for
industries, cities, infrastructure and transportation. These products, digital technology and related services enable industrial customers to
increase energy efficiency, improve safety and reliability, and achieve precise control of their processes. Building on over 140 years of
cumulative experience in electric powertrains, Motion combines domain expertise and technology to deliver the optimum solution for a wide
range of applications in all industrial segments. In addition, Motion, along with its partners, has a leading global service presence. These
products and services are delivered through seven operating Divisions: Large Motors and Generators, IEC LV Motors, NEMA Motors, Drive
Products, System Drives, Service and Traction.
• Robotics & Discrete Automation: delivers its products, solutions and services through two operating Divisions. Robotics provides industrial
and collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robotics, mapping and navigation solutions, robotic solutions, field services, spare parts and
digital services. Machine Automation specializes in automation solutions based on its programmable logic controllers (PLC), industrial PCs
(IPC), servo motion, transport systems and machine vision. Both divisions offer software across the entire life cycle, including engineering and
simulation software as well as a comprehensive range of digital solutions.
Corporate and Other: Corporate includes headquarter costs, the Company’s corporate real estate activities and Corporate Treasury while Other includes
the E-mobility operating segment, other non-core operating activities as well as the operating activities of certain divested businesses.
The primary measure of profitability on which the operating segments are evaluated is Operational EBITA, which represents income from operations
excluding:
Certain other non-operational items generally includes certain regulatory, compliance and legal costs, certain asset write downs/impairments and
certain other fair value changes, as well as other items which are determined by management on a case-by-case basis.
The CODM primarily reviews the results of each segment on a basis that is before the elimination of profits made on inventory sales between segments.
Segment results below are presented before these eliminations, with a total deduction for intersegment profits to arrive at the Company’s consolidated
Operational EBITA. Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for as if the sales and transfers were to third parties, at current market prices.
The following tables present disaggregated segment revenues from contracts with customers, Operational EBITA, and the reconciliations of
consolidated Operational EBITA to Income from continuing operations before taxes for the six and three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, as well
as total assets at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
(1) Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.
Total assets(1)
($ in millions) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Electrification 12,979 12,668
Motion 6,991 7,016
Process Automation 5,021 4,971
Robotics & Discrete Automation 4,921 5,047
Corporate and Other 9,369 11,238
Consolidated 39,281 40,940
(1) Total assets are after intersegment eliminations and therefore reflect third -party assets only.
While ABB’s management believes that the measures herein are useful in evaluating ABB’s operating results, this information s hould be
considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance wit h U.S. GAAP.
Therefore these measures should not be viewed in isolation but considered together with the Consolidated Financial Informatio n (unaudited)
prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP as of and for the six and three months ended June 30, 2024.
Comparable growth rates are also adjusted for changes in our business portfolio. Adjustments to our business portfolio occur due to acquisitions,
divestments, or by exiting specific business activities or customer markets. The adjustment for portfolio changes is calculated as follows: where the
results of any business acquired or divested have not been consolidated and reported for the entire duration of both the current and comparable
periods, the reported key figures of such business are adjusted to exclude the relevant key figures of any corresponding quarters which are not
comparable when computing the comparable growth rate. Certain portfolio changes which do not qualify as divestments under U.S. GAAP have been
treated in a similar manner to divestments. Changes in our portfolio where we have exited certain business activities or customer markets are adjusted
as if the relevant business was divested in the period when the decision to cease business activities was taken. We do not adjust for portfolio changes
where the relevant business has annualized revenues of less than $50 million.
The following tables provide reconciliations of reported growth rates of certain key figures to their respective comparable growth rate.
Operational EBITA
Operational earnings before interest, taxes and acquisition-related amortization (Operational EBITA) represents Income from operations excluding:
Certain other non-operational items generally includes certain regulatory, compliance and legal costs, certain asset write downs/impairments and
certain other fair value changes, as well as other items which are determined by management on a case-by-case basis.
Operational EBITA is our measure of segment profit but is also used by management to evaluate the profitability of the Company as a whole.
Acquisition-related amortization
Amortization expense on intangibles arising upon acquisitions.
Operational revenues
The Company presents operational revenues solely for the purpose of allowing the computation of Operational EBITA margin. Operational revenues are
Total revenues adjusted for foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in total revenues of: (i) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives,
(ii) realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged transaction has not yet been realized, and (iii) unrealized foreign exchange
movements on receivables (and related assets). Operational revenues are not intended to be an alternative measure to Total revenues, which represent
our revenues measured in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Reconciliation
The following tables provide reconciliations of consolidated Operational EBITA to Net Income and Operational EBITA margin by business.
Operational EBITA margin (%) 23.2% 19.9% 15.5% 11.1% n.a. 19.0%
In the three months ended June 30, 2024, Certain other non-operational items in the table above includes the following:
(1) Amounts include ABB Way process transformation costs of $53 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
Income (loss) from operations 713 380 270 119 (184) 1,298
Acquisition-related amortization 22 9 2 19 3 55
Restructuring, related and
implementation costs(1) 4 1 2 – 6 13
Changes in obligations related to
divested businesses 1 – – – (9) (8)
Gains and losses from sale of businesses – – (26) – – (26)
Acquisition- and divestment-related expenses
and integration costs 12 8 (2) 2 6 26
Certain other non-operational items 6 1 – 1 33 41
Foreign exchange/commodity timing
differences in income from operations:
Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives
(foreign exchange, commodities,
embedded derivatives) 31 5 (8) 4 – 32
Realized gains and losses on derivatives
where the underlying hedged
transaction has not yet been realized (2) – 5 – (2) 1
Unrealized foreign exchange movements
on receivables/payables
(and related assets/liabilities) – (3) (4) (4) 4 (7)
Operational EBITA 787 401 239 141 (143) 1,425
Operational EBITA margin (%) 21.1% 20.4% 15.4% 15.3% n.a. 17.5%
In the three months ended June 30, 2023, Certain other non-operational items in the table above includes the following:
(1) Amounts include ABB Way process transformation costs of $41 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Income (loss) from operations 1,606 670 508 137 (328) 2,593
Acquisition-related amortization 46 17 3 41 6 113
Restructuring, related and
implementation costs(1) 18 22 7 20 9 76
Changes in obligations related to
divested businesses – – – – (11) (11)
Gains and losses from sale of businesses 24 – – – 33 57
Acquisition- and divestment-related expenses
and integration costs 29 2 1 7 (2) 37
Certain other non-operational items 2 3 (5) (1) 114 113
Foreign exchange/commodity timing
differences in income from operations:
Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives
(foreign exchange, commodities,
embedded derivatives) (1) 27 10 6 2 44
Realized gains and losses on derivatives
where the underlying hedged
transaction has not yet been realized (3) 1 1 – 2 1
Unrealized foreign exchange movements
on receivables/payables
(and related assets/liabilities) (8) (11) (9) (4) (10) (42)
Operational EBITA 1,713 731 516 206 (185) 2,981
Operational EBITA margin (%) 22.8% 19.2% 15.5% 12.2% n.a. 18.4%
In the six months ended June 30, 2024, Certain other non-operational items in the table above includes the following:
(1) Amounts include ABB Way process transformation costs of $99 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Income (loss) from operations 1,368 733 470 234 (309) 2,496
Acquisition-related amortization 44 17 3 39 6 109
Restructuring, related and
implementation costs(1) 12 2 4 – 23 41
Changes in obligations related to
divested businesses 1 – – – (6) (5)
Gains and losses from sale of businesses – – (26) – – (26)
Acquisition- and divestment-related expenses
and integration costs 19 12 1 4 9 45
Certain other non-operational items 9 3 – 3 25 40
Foreign exchange/commodity timing
differences in income from operations:
Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives
(foreign exchange, commodities,
embedded derivatives) 16 5 (10) 6 (7) 10
Realized gains and losses on derivatives
where the underlying hedged
transaction has not yet been realized (2) – 7 – 1 6
Unrealized foreign exchange movements
on receivables/payables
(and related assets/liabilities) (3) (5) (5) (5) 4 (14)
Operational EBITA 1,464 767 444 281 (254) 2,702
Operational EBITA margin (%) 20.0% 19.6% 14.8% 15.1% n.a. 16.9%
In the six months ended June 30, 2023, certain other non-operational items in the table above includes the following:
(1) Amounts include ABB Way process transformation costs of $71 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Total debt
Total debt is the sum of Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, and Long-term debt.
Reconciliation
($ in millions) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt 410 2,607
Long-term debt 6,338 5,221
Total debt 6,748 7,828
Cash and equivalents 2,961 3,891
Restricted cash 18 18
Marketable securities and short-term investments 1,289 1,928
Cash and marketable securities 4,268 5,837
Net debt 2,480 1,991
Equity
Equity is defined as Total stockholders’ equity.
Reconciliation
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Total stockholders' equity 14,066 14,057
Net debt (as defined above) 2,480 1,991
Net debt / Equity ratio 0.18 0.14
EBITDA
EBITDA is defined as Income from operations for the trailing twelve months preceding the balance sheet date before depreciation and amortization for
the same trailing twelve-month period.
Reconciliation
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
Income from operations for the three months ended:
September 30, 2023 / 2022 1,259 708
December 31, 2023 / 2022 1,116 1,185
March 31, 2024 / 2023 1,217 1,198
June 30, 2024 / 2023 1,376 1,298
Depreciation and Amortization for the three months ended:
September 30, 2023 / 2022 194 198
December 31, 2023 / 2022 199 199
March 31, 2024 / 2023 201 191
June 30, 2024 / 2023 202 196
EBITDA 5,764 5,173
Net debt (as defined above) 2,480 4,165
Net debt / EBITDA 0.4 0.8
Reconciliation
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
Net working capital:
Receivables, net 7,492 7,481
Contract assets 1,118 1,010
Inventories, net 6,257 6,448
Prepaid expenses 294 290
Accounts payable, trade (5,118) (4,881)
Contract liabilities (2,973) (2,394)
Other current liabilities(1) (3,463) (3,506)
Net working capital in assets and liabilities held for sale – 137
Net working capital 3,607 4,585
Total revenues for the three months ended:
September 30, 2023 / 2022 7,968 7,406
December 31, 2023 / 2022 8,245 7,824
March 31, 2024 / 2023 7,870 7,859
June 30, 2024 / 2023 8,239 8,163
Adjustment to annualize/eliminate revenues of certain acquisitions/divestments – (162)
Adjusted revenues for the trailing twelve months 32,322 31,090
Net working capital as a percentage of revenues (%) 11.2% 14.7%
(1) Amounts exclude $660 million and $771 million at June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related primarily to (a) income taxes payable, (b) current derivative liabilities,
(c) pension and other employee benefits, (d) payables under the share buyback program and (e) liabilities related to certain restructuring-related activities.
Reconciliation
Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30,
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,793 1,042 1,067 760
Adjusted for the effects of operations:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (366) (331) (185) (180)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 42 57 36 26
Free cash flow 1,469 768 918 606
Reconciliation
Trailing twelve months to
($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,041 4,290
Adjusted for the effects of operations:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (805) (770)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 132 147
Free cash flow 4,368 3,667
Adjusted net income attributable to ABB(1) 3,745 3,686
Free cash flow conversion to net income 117% 99%
(1) Adjusted net income attributable to ABB for the year ended December 31, 2023, is adjusted to exclude the gain on sale of the Power Conversion Division of $59 million.
Reconciliation
Six months ended June 30, Three months ended June 30,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Interest and dividend income 103 78 46 38
Interest and other finance expense (50) (124) (13) (63)
Net finance income (expense) 53 (46) 33 (25)
Book-to-bill ratio
Definition
Book-to-bill ratio is calculated as Orders received divided by Total revenues.
Reconciliation
Six months ended June 30,
2024 2023
($ in millions, except Book-to-bill presented as a ratio) Orders Revenues Book-to-bill Orders Revenues Book-to-bill
Electrification 8,465 7,489 1.13 8,101 7,325 1.11
Motion 4,317 3,780 1.14 4,399 3,921 1.12
Process Automation 3,499 3,318 1.05 3,782 2,989 1.27
Robotics & Discrete Automation 1,389 1,697 0.82 1,851 1,859 1.00
Corporate and Other (incl. intersegment eliminations) (261) (175) n.a. (16) (72) n.a.
ABB Group 17,409 16,109 1.08 18,117 16,022 1.13
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