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Siemens Raises 2026 Outlook on AI Data Centre Boom

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Siemens lifted its full-year 2026 profit guidance after stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, fueled by accelerating demand for AI-driven data centre infrastructure. Shares rose more than 6% in Frankfurt trading following the announcement.

CEO Roland Busch said revenue linked to data centres climbed by more than one-third in the quarter through December, describing demand as having “considerably exceeded expectations.” The company now expects to sustain that momentum through fiscal 2026.

Industrial profit increased 15% year-on-year to 2.90 billion euros, surpassing analyst forecasts of 2.64 billion euros. Net profit reached 2.22 billion euros, also ahead of expectations. First-quarter sales rose 4% to 19.14 billion euros, while orders climbed 7%.

As a result, Siemens raised its basic earnings outlook for the fiscal year ending September to between 10.70 and 11.10 euros per share, up from its prior forecast range of 10.40 to 11.00 euros.

Analysts highlighted strong performance in Siemens’ Digital Industries division, particularly in factory automation and industrial software. The company continues expanding industrial AI applications, including logistics robot training systems, AI-powered machine diagnostics, and accelerated product design tools that reduce development cycles from weeks to days.

While automotive demand remains moderate, Siemens reported growing momentum in defense, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and industrial machinery sectors. However, management cautioned that global investment sentiment remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and tariff debates.

The results underscore how AI infrastructure spending is extending beyond chipmakers and cloud providers into traditional industrial engineering leaders.

AI-driven data centre boom boosts ABB’s U.S. sales and orders

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Swiss engineering giant ABB reported a strong third quarter as surging investment in data centres across the United States drives demand for its industrial robots, electrification products, and power solutions.

The company said new U.S. orders rose 27% in the third quarter, powered largely by the expansion of data centres needed to process artificial intelligence workloads. “It’s the normal standard business where there is strong demand,” said CEO Morten Wierod, noting the rise was not linked to U.S. import tariffs.

ABB generates about 7% of its revenue from data centres, up from 6% a year ago, and provides uninterruptible power supplies and electrification systems that keep critical servers online. Wierod said the AI boom is also driving broader electrification, forcing utilities and industrial sectors to increase investments.

Earlier this week, ABB announced a partnership with Nvidia to develop advanced infrastructure for next-generation data centres.

The company posted a 12% rise in operating EBITA to $1.74 billion, topping forecasts, while revenue grew 11% to $9.08 billion. Orders also climbed 12%. ABB’s shares initially rose 2.5% after the results before easing later in the session.

Chief Financial Officer Timo Ihamuotila, who will step down next year, said U.S. tariffs have had only a limited impact, costing “tens of millions” of dollars in profit, which the company has offset with price adjustments and efficiency gains. ABB currently manufactures about 75–80% of its U.S. products domestically, with plans to raise that to 90% through new factory investments.

SoftBank to buy ABB’s robot unit for $5.4 billion in AI-robotics merger push

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SoftBank Group has agreed to purchase the robotics division of ABB for $5.4 billion, marking a major step in CEO Masayoshi Son’s plan to unite artificial intelligence and robotics into what he calls “Physical AI.” The acquisition, announced Wednesday, gives the Japanese conglomerate control of one of the world’s leading industrial robotics makers as it deepens its bet on AI-driven automation.

The deal signals ABB’s decision to cancel its planned spin-off of the robotics unit, opting instead for a direct sale that delivers immediate liquidity. ABB CEO Morten Wierod said the sale provides stronger financial flexibility to invest in electrification, automation, and potential new acquisitions.

ABB’s robotics arm employs about 7,000 people and generated $2.3 billion in 2024 sales, roughly 7% of ABB’s total revenue. Despite its technological strength, the division struggled with volatile margins and limited overlap with ABB’s core business.

For SoftBank, the acquisition builds on a decade-long robotics journey that began with its humanoid Pepper robot and now extends into advanced factory automation. The company has recently invested in Berkshire Grey, AutoStore, and OpenAI, and earlier this year bought chip designer Ampere for $6.5 billion.

The transaction is expected to close by late 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. ABB shares rose 2% in Zurich after the announcement, while SoftBank’s stock slipped 2% in Tokyo trading.