UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of October 2017

 

Commission File Number 001-16429

 

ABB Ltd

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

P.O. Box 1831, Affolternstrasse 44, CH-8050, Zurich, Switzerland

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F ☒ 

Form 40-F ⬜ 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ⬜ 

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indication by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ⬜ 

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes ⬜ 

No ☒ 

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-

 

 

 

 


 

 

This Form 6-K consists of the following:

 

1.              Press release issued by ABB Ltd dated October 26, 2017 titled “ABB: Continuing growth”.

2.              Q3 2017 Financial Information.

3.     Announcements regarding transactions in ABB Ltd’s Securities made by the directors or the members of the Executive Committee.

 

The information provided by Item 2 above is incorporated by reference into ABB Ltd's registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-180922) and registration statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-190180, 333-181583, 333-179472, 333-171971 and 333-129271) each of which was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zurich, Switzerland, October 26, 2017: third quarter highlights

ABB: Continuing growth

 

       Total orders up 5%1; base orders up 6%; higher in all regions

       Services and software orders up 11%; ABB AbilityTM driving momentum

       Revenues up 3%

       Operational EBITA margin2 up to 12.9%

       Net income $571 million; operational EPS +7%3

       Cash flow from operating activities $954 million

       Net working capital as a percentage of revenues stable, impacted by B&R acquisition and HV cables divestiture

       B&R acquisition closed July 6; integration on track

       Leadership position in electrification to be strengthened by GE Industrial Solutions acquisition

“We continue to build growth momentum across all regions, with total orders growing 5 percent and revenues up 3 percent in Q3, while continuing with the business model transformation in Power Grids,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “The combination of a stronger market orientation and a focus on high-growth segments, such as electric vehicle charging, robotics and food and beverage, is paying off.”

“The Electrification Products and Robotics and Motion divisions improved margins sequentially, and Industrial Automation and Power Grids delivered solid operational performance in the quarter,” he said. “The integration of B&R is progressing well and, with the recently announced acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions, we are firming up our number 2 position globally in electrification and have a clear plan to execute our value creation ambition.”

“Going forward, we will maintain our primary focus on profitable organic growth. We will continue to do our homework and take the appropriate actions to successfully complete our transition year of 2017,” he added. “We are further de-risking our portfolio and continuing to shift our center of gravity to higher growth segments and enhanced competitiveness.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEY FIGURES

 

 

CHANGE

 

 

CHANGE

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Q3 2017

Q3 2016

US$

Comparable1

9M 2017

9M 2016

US$

Comparable1

Orders

8,157

7,533

+8%

+5%

24,909

25,102

-1%

+1%

Revenues

8,724

8,255

+6%

+3%

25,032

24,835

+1%

+2%

Operational EBITA2

1,124

1,063

+6%

+3%4

3,109

3,134

-1%

0%4

as % of operational revenues

12.9%

12.8%

+0.1pts

 

12.5%

12.6%

-0.1pts

 

Net income

571

568

+1%

 

1,820

1,474

+23%

 

Basic EPS ($)

0.27

0.27

+1%3

 

0.85

0.68

+24%3

 

Operational EPS2 ($)

0.34

0.33

+4%3

+7%3

0.92

0.96

-4%3

-2%3

Cash flow from operating activities

954

1,081

-12%

 

1,930

2,415

-20%

 

 

Short-term outlook

While uncertainties prevail, macroeconomic signs are trending positively in Europe and the United States, with growth expected to continue in China. The overall global market shows modest growth and is impacted by geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world. Oil prices and foreign exchange translation effects are expected to continue to influence the company’s results. 2017 remains a transition year for ABB.

 

______

1 Growth rates for orders, base orders, revenues and order backlog are on a comparable basis (local currency adjusted for acquisitions and divestitures). US$ growth rates are presented in Key Figures table.

2 For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, see “Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions” in the attached Q3 2017 Financial Information.

3 EPS growth rates are computed using unrounded amounts. Comparable operational earnings per share is in constant currency (2014 exchange rates and not adjusted for changes in the business portfolio).

4 Constant currency (not adjusted for portfolio  changes). 

 

 

1/6

 

 


 

 

Q3 2017 Group results

 

Orders

Total orders were up 5 percent (8 percent in US dollars) compared with the third quarter a year ago, reflecting solid base order development across all divisions and regions. Base orders (classified as orders below $15 million) increased 6 percent (10 percent in US dollars). Large orders were 5 percent lower (4 percent in US dollars) and represented 9 percent of total orders, compared with 11 percent a year earlier, reflecting the continued change in ABB’s business model. The US dollar versus the prior-year period resulted in a flat translation impact on reported total orders of 0 percent. Changes in the business portfolio related to the acquisition of B&R and the divestiture of HV cables as well as business model changes had a net positive 3 percent impact on total reported orders.

Total services and software orders rose 11 percent (12 percent in US dollars) and were 18 percent of total orders, compared to 17 percent a year ago.

The order backlog at the end of September 2017 amounted to $23,424 million, 1 percent lower (5 percent in US dollars) compared with the end of September 2016. The book-to-bill2 ratio in the third quarter was 0.94x, compared with 0.91x in the third quarter of 2016.

 

Market overview 

Demand patterns in all of ABB’s regions were positive in the quarter:

            Europe  benefited from positive market developments in industry, transport & infrastructure and the timing of large capital investments. Total orders improved 8 percent (18 percent in US dollars), with positive contributions from the United Kingdom, France and Norway more than offsetting declines in Germany and Sweden. In the UK, a $130 million order was won to provide power transmission infrastructure for the new Hinkley Point C power plant, along with a $60 million order to reinforce the power network connecting the station to the national grid. Base orders improved 2 percent (13 percent in US dollars), with Spain, France, Norway and Turkey as the main contributors.

            The Americas was positive, driven by increased demand for automation in general and the need for energy-efficient solutions for industry and transport & infrastructure. Total orders grew 4 percent in the quarter (6 percent in US dollars), with base orders improving 3 percent (5 percent in US dollars), primarily on higher demand in the United States, Brazil and Canada. The United States grew total and base orders 3 percent (4 percent in US dollars).

            Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) total orders grew 2 percent (2 percent in US dollars), driven primarily by substantial growth in UAE, South Africa and Australia, while Saudi Arabia was down. Total orders in China declined slightly, as 10 percent base order growth (12 percent in US dollars) could not make up for lower large order awards. Underlying drivers in India remained positive; however, they were offset by the effects of the new nationwide goods and services tax implementation. Base orders for AMEA increased 12 percent (11 percent in US dollars), with positive contributions from China, Australia and UAE.

Demand patterns in ABB’s three major customer sectors were positive:

            Utilities continued their selective investments, adding new capacity in emerging markets, upgrading the aging power infrastructure in mature markets and integrating renewable energy globally. They are also investing in automation and control solutions to enhance the stability of the grid. 

            In industry, investments in robotics and machinery automation solutions for the automotive sector and general industry remained positive. Process industries, especially oil and gas, remained subdued overall, with selective investments primarily in service and productivity improvements.

            Transport & infrastructure demand  has been mixed. Demand for building automation solutions as well as solutions involving energy efficiency remained strong, while the marine sector, except for cruise ships, suffered due to the subdued container vessel and oil and gas sector. Data centers and electric vehicle charging remained a highlight in the quarter.

 

 

ABB: CONTINUING GROWTH

2/6

 

 


 

 

Revenues

Revenues increased 3 percent (6 percent in US dollars) in the third quarter and were higher in Electrification Products, Robotics and Motion and Industrial Automation, with Power Grids slightly lower year-on-year. Total services and software revenues were 2 percent higher (2 percent in US dollars) and represented 17 percent of total revenues, compared with 18 percent a year ago. A weaker US dollar versus the prior-year period resulted in a positive translation impact on reported revenues of 2 percent. Changes in the business portfolio related to the acquisition of B&R and the divestiture of HV cables as well as business model changes had a net positive 1 percent impact on reported revenues.

 

Operational EBITA

Operational EBITA  was $1,124 million, 3 percent higher in constant currency terms (6 percent in US dollars). Operational EBITA margin was 12.9 percent, 0.1 percent higher compared with the same period a year ago. Operational EBITA margin improved in Industrial Automation and Power Grids year on year but decreased slightly in the Electrification Products and Robotics and Motion divisions, while being sequentially up compared to Q2 2017. Operational EBITA was impacted by the positive net savings effect and positive volume contribution, which more than offset commodity price increases and investments in growth and business transformation. A weaker US dollar versus the prior year period resulted in a positive translation impact; additionally, the acquisition of B&R and the divestiture of high-voltage cables had a positive operational EBITA effect.

 

Net income, basic and operational earnings per share

Net income increased to $571 million from $568 million, and basic earnings per share was unchanged at $0.27 compared to the same quarter a year ago. Operational EPS was $0.34, compared to $0.33 for the same quarter of 2016, an increase of 7 percent in constant currency terms.3 Net income was aided by a positive operational contribution, partially offset by higher restructuring and restructuring-related expenses, more acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items, compared with the same period a year ago.

 

Cash flow from operating activities 

Cash flow from operating activities was $954 million, compared with $1,081 million in the same quarter a year ago. It was primarily impacted by an increase in current trade receivables related to additional revenue that was billed in the quarter and the buildup of inventory to serve growth.

 

 

 

ABB: CONTINUING GROWTH

3/6

 

 


 

 

Q3 divisional performance 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Orders

Change

3rd party base orders

Change

Revenues

Change

Op EBITA %

CHANGE

US$

Comparable1

US$

Comparable1

US$

Comparable1

Electrification Products

2,547

+7%

+7%

2,407

+8%

+8%

2,596

+5%

+5%

16.1%

-0.1pts

Robotics and Motion

2,032

+5%

+4%

1,858

+8%

+7%

2,201

+10%

+8%

16.1%

-0.3pts

Industrial Automation

1,654

+33%

+14%

1,443

+23%

+4%

1,804

+15%

+1%

12.6%

+0.3pts

Power Grids

2,244

-6%

-6%

1,668

+6%

+5%

2,533

0%

-2%

9.8%

+0.2pts

Corporate & other (incl. inter-division elimination)

-320

 

 

8

 

 

-410

 

 

 

 

ABB Group

8,157

+8%

+5%

7,384

+10%

+6%

8,724

+6%

+3%

12.9%

+0.1pts

 

 

Electrification Products 

Total orders were 7 percent higher (7 percent in US dollars), as construction and utility demand remained positive, particularly in the AMEA region. Revenues grew 5 percent in the quarter (5 percent in US dollars). Operational EBITA margin improved sequentially by 110 basis points but was slightly lower in the quarter versus a year ago, due to higher material costs, which could not be fully offset by productivity and cost savings.

 

Robotics and Motion 

Total orders improved 4 percent (5 percent in US dollars) on continued demand for robotics and energy-efficient solutions in the automotive and general industry sectors. Demand for the process end markets was slightly positive to stable in the quarter. Third-party base orders continued to grow at 7 percent (8 percent in US dollars), while large orders were weak in the quarter. Revenues improved 8 percent (10 percent in US dollars). Operational EBITA margin improved sequentially by 120 basis points but was lower in the quarter versus a year ago, due to higher material costs, which more than offset the positive cost-out measures. 

 

Industrial Automation

Total orders excluding B&R and currency effects grew 14 percent; third-party base orders continued to be positive at 4 percent, due to selective capital expenditure investments in mining as well as cruise and specialty vessels. Including B&R and currency effects, the total reported order growth was 33 percent, and third-party base order growth was 23 percent in US dollars. Revenues excluding B&R and currency effects grew 1 percent, reflecting the strong book and bill business within the quarter. Including B&R and currency effects, the reported revenue growth was 15 percent in US dollars. Operational EBITA margin increased to 12.6 percent, reflecting improved project execution, positive mix and solid cost and productivity savings.

 

Power Grids

Total orders were impacted by the delayed timing of large order awards and continued selectivity driven by change in business model. Third-party base orders grew 5 percent (6 percent in US dollars), underpinned by investments in emerging markets. The division continues to leverage and expand its ABB Ability offering with several successes around the world, supporting the digitalization of the grid and reinforcing ABB’s leadership position as a partner of choice. Revenues were 2 percent lower (steady in US dollars) on timing of order backlog execution and resulting from a lower backlog due to the business model change. Operational EBITA margin increased 0.2 percentage points to 9.8 percent, reflecting improved productivity and cost savings, solid execution and shift in portfolio mix which more than offset investments for growth. The division’s ‘Power Up’ program, driving its transformation and value creation, is underway, and the company will continue to invest in this initiative in the coming quarters.

 

 

ABB: CONTINUING GROWTH

4/6

 

 


 

 

Next Level strategy – Stage 3

ABB is executing its Next Level strategy along its three focus areas of profitable growth, relentless execution and business-led collaboration. During the quarter, ABB continued to implement its Next Level strategy by further shifting its center of gravity to higher-growth segments, strengthening its competitiveness and de-risking the portfolio.

ABB strengthened its position as the #2 industrial automation player globally by closing the acquisition of B&R on July 6. B&R is the largest independent provider of product- and software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation worldwide, with a unique business model and sustainable long-term growth momentum. With this acquisition, ABB closed its historic gap in machine and factory automation and created a uniquely comprehensive automation portfolio for customers globally. The integration of B&R is well underway and fully on track.

On September 25, ABB announced an agreement to acquire GE Industrial Solutions (GE IS), General Electric’s global electrification solutions business, for $2.6 billion. GE IS has deep customer relationships in more than 100 countries and an established installed base with strong roots in North America, ABB’s biggest market. In 2016, GE IS had revenues of approximately $2.7 billion and an operational EBITA margin of approximately 6 percent. The transaction is expected to be operational EPS accretive in year one. ABB expects to realize approximately $200 million of annual cost synergies in year five, which will be key in bringing GE IS to peer performance. As part of the transaction and overall value creation, ABB and GE have agreed to establish a long-term, strategic supply relationship for GE IS products and ABB products that GE sources today. Through this purchase, ABB will strengthen its #2 position in electrification globally and expand its access to the attractive North American market. Given the GE IS transaction, ABB has decided to put its previously announced planned share buyback program on hold. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2018.

ABB successfully introduced ABB Ability at many customer events over the last quarters and continued to win orders through its solution-based business model for industrial digitalization. ABB showcased more than 180 solutions, across all customer segments. At ABB’s Innovation & Technology Day at the North American robotics plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan, ABB showed its stakeholders the scale and quality of its digital offering as well as the size of its business in this area.

ABB’s standing as a pioneer in electric vehicle infrastructure developments was advanced over the quarter. Customer demand is high for the integrated, cloud-based charging solutions powered by ABB Ability, which enable improved management of electricity, information and fund flows leading to a reduction in operating costs and increased uptime, among other benefits. On September 20, ABB announced a major order from a German energy supplier for an additional 117 fast-charging stations on German highways, adding to its initial order of 68 stations.

The company’s White Collar Productivity savings program has exceeded expectations since its launch in 2015. ABB is on track to achieve the program’s raised cost reduction target of $1.3 billion within the initially announced timeframe and with approximately $240 million lower combined restructuring and implementation costs than initially announced.

ABB is continuing its regular cost-savings program, leveraging operational excellence and world-class supply chain management to achieve savings equivalent to 3-5 percent of cost of sales each year.

ABB continues its Net Working Capital program to free up approximately $2 billion by the end of 2017. In the past 12 months, ABB generated cash of $260 million by reducing working capital. Actions are in place to drive the performance improvement that will be required in Q4 to achieve this target.

 

Short- and long-term outlook

While uncertainties prevail, macroeconomic signs are trending positively in Europe and the United States, with growth expected to continue in China. The overall global market shows modest growth and is impacted by geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world. Oil prices and foreign exchange translation effects are expected to continue to influence the company’s results. 2017 remains a transition year for ABB.

The attractive  long-term  demand outlook in ABB’s three major  customer  sectors –  utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure  is driven by the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions.

ABB is well-positioned to tap into these opportunities for long-term profitable growth with its strong market presence, broad geographic and business scope, technology leadership and financial strength.

 

ABB: CONTINUING GROWTH

5/6

 

 

 


 

 

More information

The Q3 2017 results press release and presentation slides are  available  on the ABB News  Center at www.abb.com/news and on the  Investor  Relations homepage at www.abb.com/investorrelations.

 

ABB will host a press conference today starting at 10:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET) (9:00 a.m. BST, 4:00 a.m. EDT). The event will be accessible  by conference call. Callers from the UK should dial +44 203 059 58 62.  From Sweden, the  number to dial is +46 85 051 00 31, and from the  rest  of Europe, +41  58  310 50 00. Callers from the US and Canada should dial +1 866 291 41  66 (toll-free) or +1  631  570 56 13 (long-distance charges). Lines will be open 10-15 minutes before the start of the call. 

 

A conference call  and webcast for  analysts and investors is scheduled to begin today at 2:00 p.m. CET (1:00 p.m. BST, 8:00 a.m. EDT). Callers from the UK should dial +44 203 059 58 62 From Sweden, the  number to dial is +46 85 051 00 31, and from the  rest  of Europe, +41 58 310 50 00. Callers from the US and Canada should dial +1 866 291 41  66 (toll-free) or +1  631  570 56 13 (long-distance charges). Callers are requested to phone in 10 minutes before the start of the call.  The  call will also be accessible  on  the ABB website and a recorded session will be available  as a podcast one hour  after  the  end of the conference  call and can be downloaded from our website. www.abb.com/investorrelations

 

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000 employees. www.abb.com

 

 

Investor calendar 2018

Fourth quarter and full year 2017 results

February 8, 2018

Annual General Meeting

March 29, 2018

First quarter 2018 results 

April 19, 2018

Second quarter 2018 results 

July 19, 2018

Third quarter 2018 results

October 25, 2018

 

Important notice about forward-looking  information 

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements as well as other statements concerning the outlook  for  our  business,  including those in the sections of this release titled “Short-term outlook”, “Outlook”, and “Next Level strategy – Stage 3”.  These statements are based on  current expectations, estimates and projections about the factors that may affect our future performance, including global economic conditions, the economic conditions of  the regions and industries that are major  markets for ABB Ltd. These expectations,  estimates and projections are  generally identifiable by  statements containing words such as “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,”  “plans,” “is likely”, “intends” or similar  expressions. However, there are  many risks and uncertainties, many of which are  beyond our control, that could cause  our  actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements made in this press release and which could affect our ability to achieve any or all of our stated  targets. The important factors that could cause  such differences include, among others, business risks associated with the volatile global economic environment and political conditions, costs associated with compliance activities, market acceptance of  new  products  and services, changes in governmental regulations and currency  exchange  rates and such other factors as may be discussed from time  to  time  in ABB Ltd’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on  Form 20-F. Although ABB Ltd believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable  assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved.  

 

Zurich, October 26, 2017

Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO

 


For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Phone: +41 43 317 65 68
E-mail: media.relations@ch.abb.com

Investor Relations
Phone: +41 43 317 71 11
E-mail: investor.relations@ch.abb.com

ABB Ltd
Affolternstrasse 44
8050 Zurich
Switzerland

 

 

 

ABB: CONTINUING GROWTH

6/6

 


 

  

 

 

1         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

  

2         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

Key Figures

 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Q3 2017

Q3 2016

US$

Comparable(1)

 

Orders

8,157

7,533

8%

5%

 

Order backlog (end September)

23,424

24,554

-5%

-1%

 

Revenues

8,724

8,255

6%

3%

 

Operational EBITA(1)

1,124

1,063

6%

3%(2)

 

 

as % of operational revenues(1)

12.9%

12.8%

+0.1 pts

 

 

Net income

571

568

1%

 

 

Basic earnings per share ($)

0.27

0.27

1%(3)

 

 

Operational earnings per share(1) ($)

0.34

0.33

4%(3)

7%(3)

 

Cash flow from operating activities

954

1,081

-12%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

9M 2017

9M 2016

US$

Comparable(1)

 

Orders

24,909

25,102

-1%

1%

 

Revenues

25,032

24,835

1%

2%

 

Operational EBITA(1)

3,109

3,134

-1%

0%(2)

 

 

as % of operational revenues(1)

12.5%

12.6%

-0.1 pts

 

 

Net income

1,820

1,474

23%

 

 

Basic earnings per share ($)

0.85

0.68

24%(3)

 

 

Operational earnings per share(1) ($)

0.92

0.96

-4%(3)

-2%(3)

 

Cash flow from operating activities

1,930

2,415

-20%

 

 

(1)  For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures see “Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions” on page 34.

(2)  Constant currency (not adjusted for portfolio changes).

(3) Earnings per share growth rates are computed using unrounded amounts. Comparable Operational earnings per share growth is in constant currency (2014 foreign exchange rates and not adjusted for changes in the business portfolio).

3         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Q3 2017

Q3 2016

US$

Local

Comparable

 

Orders

ABB Group

8,157

7,533

8%

8%

5%

 

 

Electrification Products

2,547

2,374

7%

7%

7%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

2,032

1,936

5%

4%

4%

 

 

Industrial Automation

1,654

1,240

33%

31%

14%

 

 

Power Grids

2,244

2,379

-6%

-6%

-6%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(320)

(396)

 

 

 

 

Third-party base orders

ABB Group

7,384

6,727

10%

9%

6%

 

 

Electrification Products

2,407

2,227

8%

8%

8%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

1,858

1,724

8%

7%

7%

 

 

Industrial Automation

1,443

1,169

23%

22%

4%

 

 

Power Grids

1,668

1,581

6%

5%

5%

 

 

Corporate and Other

8

26

 

 

 

 

Order backlog (end September)

ABB Group

23,424

24,554

-5%

-6%

-1%

 

 

Electrification Products

3,228

3,378

-4%

-4%

-4%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

4,086

3,958

3%

2%

2%

 

 

Industrial Automation

5,766

5,854

-2%

-3%

-5%

 

 

Power Grids

11,752

12,139

-3%

-5%

-4%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(1,408)

(775)

 

 

 

 

Revenues

ABB Group

8,724

8,255

6%

4%

3%

 

 

Electrification Products

2,596

2,462

5%

5%

5%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

2,201

2,007

10%

8%

8%

 

 

Industrial Automation

1,804

1,570

15%

13%

1%

 

 

Power Grids

2,533

2,538

0%

-2%

-2%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(410)

(322)

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA

ABB Group

1,124

1,063

6%

3%

 

 

 

Electrification Products

417

401

4%

2%

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

356

330

8%

6%

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

226

195

16%

13%

 

 

 

Power Grids

248

244

2%

-2%

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(123)

(107)

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA %

ABB Group

12.9%

12.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

16.1%

16.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

16.1%

16.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

12.6%

12.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

9.8%

9.6%

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

ABB Group

908

878

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

392

352

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

327

306

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

151

178

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

201

214

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(163)

(172)

 

 

 

 

Income from operations %

ABB Group

10.4%

10.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

15.1%

14.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

14.9%

15.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

8.4%

11.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

7.9%

8.4%

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

ABB Group

954

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

304

352

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

242

333

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

227

242

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

157

149

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

24

5

 

 

 

4         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

9M 2017

9M 2016

US$

Local

Comparable

 

Orders

ABB Group

24,909

25,102

-1%

0%

1%

 

 

Electrification Products

7,587

7,504

1%

3%

3%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

6,428

6,002

7%

8%

8%

 

 

Industrial Automation

4,835

4,497

8%

9%

4%

 

 

Power Grids

7,107

7,976

-11%

-9%

-9%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(1,048)

(877)

 

 

 

 

Third-party base orders

ABB Group

22,663

22,027

3%

4%

3%

 

 

Electrification Products

7,165

7,072

1%

3%

3%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

5,816

5,353

9%

10%

10%

 

 

Industrial Automation

4,215

3,946

7%

8%

3%

 

 

Power Grids

5,427

5,577

-3%

-1%

-1%

 

 

Corporate and Other

40

79

 

 

 

 

Order backlog (end September)

ABB Group

23,424

24,554

-5%

-6%

-1%

 

 

Electrification Products

3,228

3,378

-4%

-4%

-4%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

4,086

3,958

3%

2%

2%

 

 

Industrial Automation

5,766

5,854

-2%

-3%

-5%

 

 

Power Grids

11,752

12,139

-3%

-5%

-4%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(1,408)

(775)

 

 

 

 

Revenues

ABB Group

25,032

24,835

1%

2%

2%

 

 

Electrification Products

7,398

7,287

2%

3%

3%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

6,214

5,913

5%

6%

6%

 

 

Industrial Automation

4,961

5,004

-1%

0%

-4%

 

 

Power Grids

7,585

7,708

-2%

0%

1%

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(1,126)

(1,077)

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA

ABB Group

3,109

3,134

-1%

0%

 

 

 

Electrification Products

1,112

1,108

0%

1%

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

942

945

0%

1%

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

635

617

3%

3%

 

 

 

Power Grids

750

681

10%

11%

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(330)

(217)

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA %

ABB Group

12.5%

12.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

15.1%

15.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

15.2%

16.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

12.9%

12.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

9.9%

8.8%

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

ABB Group

2,822

2,309

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

1,032

917

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

859

812

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

560

478

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

654

536

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(incl. inter-division eliminations)

(283)

(434)

 

 

 

 

Income from operations %

ABB Group

11.3%

9.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

13.9%

12.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

13.8%

13.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

11.3%

9.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

8.6%

7.0%

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

ABB Group

1,930

2,415

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

768

701

 

 

 

 

 

Robotics and Motion

709

740

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Automation

480

564

 

 

 

 

 

Power Grids

386

416

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

(413)

(6)

 

 

 

5         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Operational EBITA

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

ABB

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

 

 

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

 

Revenues

8,724

8,255

2,596

2,462

2,201

2,007

1,804

1,570

2,533

2,538

 

FX/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues

(3)

43

6

9

4

(13)

10

1

16

 

Operational revenues

8,721

8,298

2,596

2,468

2,210

2,011

1,791

1,580

2,534

2,554

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

908

878

392

352

327

306

151

178

201

214

 

Acquisition-related amortization

74

70

24

30

16

24

21

3

8

9

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

92

39

(2)

(5)

2

(6)

41

7

28

12

 

Non-operational pension cost

(20)

1

1

2

3

2

(1)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

17

17

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

1

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

68

35

6

1

(1)

4

19

9

2

 

FX/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations

1

24

(4)

5

10

2

(9)

7

8

 

Operational EBITA

1,124

1,063

417

401

356

330

226

195

248

244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

12.9%

12.8%

16.1%

16.2%

16.1%

16.4%

12.6%

12.3%

9.8%

9.6%



 

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

ABB

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

 

 

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

 

Revenues

25,032

24,835

7,398

7,287

6,214

5,913

4,961

5,004

7,585

7,708

 

FX/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues

(108)

61

(27)

(1)

2

2

(25)

31

(37)

13

 

Operational revenues

24,924

24,896

7,371

7,286

6,216

5,915

4,936

5,035

7,548

7,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

2,822

2,309

1,032

917

859

812

560

478

654

536

 

Acquisition-related amortization

189

212

76

92

50

71

25

9

25

27

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

224

475

11

52

29

53

50

100

49

106

 

Non-operational pension cost

(34)

2

3

1

4

(3)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

94

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

39

39

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

(330)

(2)

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

234

46

24

1

(1)

4

26

61

6

 

FX/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations

(90)

53

(33)

4

4

5

(28)

30

(39)

9

 

Operational EBITA

3,109

3,134

1,112

1,108

942

945

635

617

750

681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

12.5%

12.6%

15.1%

15.2%

15.2%

16.0%

12.9%

12.3%

9.9%

8.8%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

6         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

 

($ in millions)

ABB

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

 

 

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

Q3 17

Q3 16

 

Depreciation

191

195

52

54

35

36

18

15

45

45

 

Amortization

96

91

27

34

19

27

23

5

16

17

 

including total acquisition-related amortization of:

74

70

24

30

16

24

21

3

8

9



 

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

 

($ in millions)

ABB

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

 

 

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

9M 17

9M 16

 

Depreciation

555

576

152

161

103

106

43

44

131

134

 

Amortization

253

277

85

102

59

81

29

14

46

49

 

including total acquisition-related amortization of:

189

212

76

92

50

71

25

9

25

27



Orders received and revenues by region

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Orders received

CHANGE

Revenues

CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Com-

 

 

 

 

Com-

 

 

Q3 17

Q3 16

US$

Local

parable

Q3 17

Q3 16

US$

Local

parable

 

Europe

2,760

2,336

18%

14%

8%

3,058

2,733

12%

8%

6%

 

The Americas

2,339

2,208

6%

5%

4%

2,400

2,456

-2%

-3%

-4%

 

Asia, Middle East and Africa

3,058

2,989

2%

3%

2%

3,266

3,066

7%

7%

6%

 

ABB Group

8,157

7,533

8%

8%

5%

8,724

8,255

6%

4%

3%



 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Orders received

CHANGE

Revenues

CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Com-

 

 

 

 

Com-

 

 

9M 17

9M 16

US$

Local

parable

9M 17

9M 16

US$

Local

parable

 

Europe

8,730

8,684

1%

2%

5%

8,565

8,299

3%

5%

6%

 

The Americas

7,142

6,864

4%

3%

3%

7,204

7,272

-1%

-1%

-1%

 

Asia, Middle East and Africa

9,037

9,554

-5%

-3%

-3%

9,263

9,264

0%

2%

2%

 

ABB Group

24,909

25,102

-1%

0%

1%

25,032

24,835

1%

2%

2%

7         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

Interim Consolidated Financial Information

 

 

  

 

 

ABB Ltd Interim Consolidated Income Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

 

($ in millions, except per share data in $)

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

 

Sales of products

20,686

20,477

7,235

6,802

 

Sales of services and software

4,346

4,358

1,489

1,453

 

Total revenues

25,032

24,835

8,724

8,255

 

Cost of sales of products

(14,788)

(14,980)

(5,145)

(4,911)

 

Cost of services and software

(2,603)

(2,623)

(910)

(885)

 

Total cost of sales

(17,391)

(17,603)

(6,055)

(5,796)

 

Gross profit

7,641

7,232

2,669

2,459

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

(4,074)

(3,955)

(1,396)

(1,280)

 

Non-order related research and development expenses

(967)

(951)

(357)

(303)

 

Other income (expense), net

222

(17)

(8)

2

 

Income from operations

2,822

2,309

908

878

 

Interest and dividend income

55

54

20

16

 

Interest and other finance expense

(227)

(230)

(74)

(84)

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

2,650

2,133

854

810

 

Provision for taxes

(702)

(587)

(246)

(237)

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

1,948

1,546

608

573

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(6)

14

(5)

16

 

Net income

1,942

1,560

603

589

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(122)

(86)

(32)

(21)

 

Net income attributable to ABB

1,820

1,474

571

568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

1,826

1,460

576

552

 

Net income

1,820

1,474

571

568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.26

 

Net income

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.26

 

Net income

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions) used to compute:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders

2,138

2,155

2,134

2,135

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders

2,147

2,159

2,142

2,139

 

Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information

 

 

 

 

8         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABB Ltd Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive

 

Income (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

 

($ in millions)

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

 

Total comprehensive income, net of tax

2,727

1,767

855

592

 

Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

(139)

(87)

(36)

(22)

 

Total comprehensive income attributable to ABB shareholders, net of tax

2,588

1,680

819

570

 

Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information

 

 

 

 

9         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

ABB Ltd Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions, except share data)

Sep. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

 

Cash and equivalents

3,649

3,644

 

Marketable securities and short-term investments

998

1,953

 

Receivables, net

10,738

9,696

 

Inventories, net

5,306

4,347

 

Prepaid expenses

276

176

 

Other current assets

628

688

 

Assets held for sale

548

 

Total current assets

21,595

21,052

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

5,180

4,743

 

Goodwill

11,180

9,501

 

Other intangible assets, net

2,649

1,996

 

Prepaid pension and other employee benefits

102

90

 

Investments in equity-accounted companies

164

170

 

Deferred taxes

1,022

1,118

 

Other non-current assets

515

532

 

Total assets

42,407

39,202

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, trade

5,081

4,446

 

Billings in excess of sales

1,309

1,241

 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

831

1,003

 

Advances from customers

1,428

1,398

 

Provisions for warranties

1,200

1,142

 

Other provisions

1,789

1,765

 

Other current liabilities

4,167

3,936

 

Liabilities held for sale

218

 

Total current liabilities

15,805

15,149

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

7,061

5,800

 

Pension and other employee benefits

1,920

1,834

 

Deferred taxes

1,067

918

 

Other non-current liabilities

1,801

1,604

 

Total liabilities

27,654

25,305

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

Capital stock

 

 

 

(2,168,148,264 and 2,214,743,264 issued shares at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively)

188

192

 

Additional paid-in capital

11

24

 

Retained earnings

19,201

19,925

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(4,418)

(5,187)

 

Treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

(33,696,701 and 76,036,429 shares at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively)

(738)

(1,559)

 

Total ABB stockholders’ equity

14,244

13,395

 

Noncontrolling interests

509

502

 

Total stockholders’ equity

14,753

13,897

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

42,407

39,202

 

Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information

 

 

10         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABB Ltd Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

 

($ in millions)

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2016

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

1,942

1,560

603

589

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

808

853

287

286

 

Deferred taxes

40

(108)

(3)

19

 

Net loss (gain) from derivatives and foreign exchange

5

58

34

10

 

Net loss (gain) from sale of property, plant and equipment

(22)

(33)

(12)

(25)

 

Net loss (gain) from sale of businesses

(330)

1

 

Share-based payment arrangements

41

37

14

10

 

Other

21

73

(16)

31

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables, net

(319)

(68)

(65)

163

 

Inventories, net

(323)

(261)

(73)

(57)

 

Trade payables

279

153

50

(14)

 

Accrued liabilities

101

14

234

179

 

Billings in excess of sales

4

4

72

(5)

 

Provisions, net

(87)

(5)

(66)

(112)

 

Advances from customers

(60)

(20)

(146)

2

 

Income taxes payable and receivable

41

123

48

2

 

Other assets and liabilities, net

(211)

35

(8)

3

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,930

2,415

954

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities (available-for-sale)

(300)

(821)

(26)

(410)

 

Purchases of short-term investments

(133)

(2,172)

(59)

(803)

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

(620)

(532)

(203)

(184)

 

Acquisition of businesses (net of cash acquired)

 

 

 

 

 

and increases in cost- and equity-accounted companies

(2,119)

(24)

(2,101)

(5)

 

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities (available-for-sale)

502

773

12

735

 

Proceeds from maturity of marketable securities (available-for-sale)

100

539

 

Proceeds from short-term investments

899

1,450

25

917

 

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

50

52

20

24

 

Proceeds from sales of businesses (net of transaction costs

 

 

 

 

 

and cash disposed) and cost- and equity-accounted companies

664

(1)

(9)

(3)

 

Net cash from settlement of foreign currency derivatives

92

(34)

59

(13)

 

Other investing activities

29

13

7

5

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(836)

(757)

(2,275)

263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in debt with original maturities of 90 days or less

363

45

(47)

(246)

 

Increase in debt

901

854

11

2

 

Repayment of debt

(657)

(720)

(67)

(56)

 

Delivery of shares

86

143

142

 

Purchase of treasury stock

(251)

(1,299)

(102)

 

Dividends paid

(1,635)

 

Reduction in nominal value of common shares paid to shareholders

(1,610)

(1,610)

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders

(121)

(121)

(5)

(14)

 

Other financing activities

(14)

(21)

1

(9)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

(1,328)

(2,729)

(107)

(1,893)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

239

44

59

2

 

Net change in cash and equivalents – continuing operations

5

(1,027)

(1,369)

(547)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents, beginning of period

3,644

4,565

5,018

4,085

 

Cash and equivalents, end of period

3,649

3,538

3,649

3,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

139

144

24

21

 

Taxes paid

651

591

208

230

 

Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information

 

 

 

 

11         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABB Ltd Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

Capital stock

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Total accumu-

lated other comprehensive loss

Treasury stock

Total ABB

stockholders’ equity

Non-

controlling interests

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2016

1,440

4

20,476

(4,858)

(2,581)

14,481

507

14,988

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

1,474

 

 

1,474

86

1,560

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adjustments, net of tax of $11

 

 

 

97

 

97

1

98

 

Effect of change in fair value of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

available-for-sale securities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax of $1

 

 

 

7

 

7

 

7

 

Unrecognized income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

related to pensions and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

postretirement plans,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax of $23

 

 

 

89

 

89

 

89

 

Change in derivatives qualifying as

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cash flow hedges, net of tax of $4

 

 

 

13

 

13

 

13

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

1,680

87

1,767

 

Dividends to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

(121)

(121)

 

Reduction in nominal value of common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares paid to shareholders

(1,239)

15

(402)

 

 

(1,626)

 

(1,626)

 

Cancellation of treasury shares

(9)

(31)

(2,007)

 

2,047

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(1,280)

(1,280)

 

(1,280)

 

Delivery of shares

 

(14)

(41)

 

198

143

 

143

 

Share-based payment arrangements

 

37

 

 

 

37

 

37

 

Call options

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

5

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

192

16

19,500

(4,652)

(1,616)

13,440

473

13,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

192

24

19,925

(5,187)

(1,559)

13,395

502

13,897

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

1,820

 

 

1,820

122

1,942

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adjustments, net of tax of $1

 

 

 

850

 

850

17

867

 

Effect of change in fair value of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

available-for-sale securities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax of $1

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

Unrecognized income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

related to pensions and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

postretirement plans,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax of $(24)

 

 

 

(90)

 

(90)

 

(90)

 

Change in derivatives qualifying as

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cash flow hedges, net of tax of $1

 

 

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

2,588

139

2,727

 

Changes in noncontrolling interests

 

3

 

 

 

3

(4)

(1)

 

Dividends to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

(128)

(128)

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

(1,622)

 

 

(1,622)

 

(1,622)

 

Cancellation of treasury shares

(4)

(27)

(922)

 

953

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(251)

(251)

 

(251)

 

Delivery of shares

 

(33)

 

 

119

86

 

86

 

Share-based payment arrangements

 

41

 

 

 

41

 

41

 

Call options

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

188

11

19,201

(4,418)

(738)

14,244

509

14,753

 

Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information

12         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)

 

 

 

Note 1

The Company and basis of presentation

 

ABB Ltd and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) together form a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally.

 

The Company’s Interim 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 Interim 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, 2016.

 

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 Interim Consolidated Financial Information. The most significant, difficult and subjective of such accounting assumptions and estimates include:

·          estimates used to record expected costs for employee severance in connection with restructuring programs,

·          assumptions and projections, principally related to future material, labor and project related overhead costs, used in determining the percentage of completion on projects,

·          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 used in the calculation of pension and postretirement benefits and the fair value of pension plan assets,

·          estimates to determine valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions,

·          growth rates, discount rates and other assumptions used to determine impairment of long lived assets and in testing goodwill for impairment,

·          assumptions used in determining inventory obsolescence and net realizable value,

·          estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, and

·          assessment of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

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, inventories and provisions related to these contracts which will not be realized within one year that have been classified as current.

 

In the opinion of management, the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Information contains all necessary adjustments to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the reported interim periods. Management considers all such adjustments to be of a normal recurring nature.

 

The Interim Consolidated Financial Information is presented in United States dollars ($) unless otherwise stated. Due to rounding, numbers presented in the Interim Consolidated Financial Information may not add to the totals provided. Certain amounts reported in the Interim Consolidated Financial Information for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. These changes primarily relate to the reorganization of the Company’s operating segments (see Note 14) and to the reclassification and netting of deferred tax assets and liabilities, as a result of the adoption of an accounting standard update on the classification of deferred taxes (see Note 2).

  

 

Note 2

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

Applicable for current periods

Balance sheet classification of deferred taxes

As of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted an accounting standard update removing the requirement to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts and instead requiring all such amounts, as well as any related valuation allowance, to be classified as noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets. This update was applied retrospectively and resulted in a decrease of $297 million in both the total deferred tax assets and total deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2016, due to additional netting impacts.

 

Simplifying the transition to the equity method of accounting

As of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted an accounting standard update eliminating the retroactive adjustments to an investment upon it qualifying for the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence by the investor. It requires that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment qualifies for equity method accounting. This update was applied prospectively and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Improvements to employee share-based payment accounting

As of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted an accounting standard update which changed the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as the classification in the statement of cash flows. This update did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment

As of January 1, 2017, the Company early-adopted an accounting standard update eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill when measuring a goodwill impairment loss. Instead the Company is now required to record an impairment loss based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value provided that the loss recognized does not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This update was applied prospectively and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

13         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Applicable for future periods

Revenue from contracts with customers

In May 2014, an accounting standard update was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The update, which supersedes substantially all existing revenue recognition guidance, provides a single comprehensive model for recognizing revenues on the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Under the standard it is possible that more judgments and estimates would be required than under existing standards, including identifying the separate performance obligations in a contract, estimating any variable consideration elements, and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The update also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Further updates were issued in 2016 to clarify the guidance on identifying performance obligations, licensing and contract costs, to enhance the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and to add other practical expedients.

 

In August 2015, the effective date for the update was deferred and the update is now effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018, and is to be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, with the option to elect certain defined practical expedients, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of adoption in retained earnings (with additional disclosure as to the impact on individual financial statement lines affected). Early adoption of the standard is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.

 

The Company will adopt these updates as of January 1, 2018, pursuant to the aforementioned adoption method (ii) and, apart from additional disclosures, currently does not anticipate these updates will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. The Company’s analysis of contracts performed in 2016 resulted in immaterial differences in the identification of performance obligations compared to the current unit of accounting determination. Except for a limited number of contracts where the required criteria are not met, the analysis supports the recognition of revenue over time following the cost-to-cost method under the new revenue recognition standard for those contracts which are following the cost-to-cost method under the current revenue recognition model. The Company continues to evaluate the expected impacts of the adoption of these updates and the expected impacts are subject to change.

 

Recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities

In January 2016, an accounting standard update was issued to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. For example, the Company would be required to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method) at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and to present separately financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted for certain provisions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Leases

In February 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that requires lessees to recognize lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. The update, which supersedes existing lease guidance, will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with the classification determining the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and is applicable on a modified retrospective basis with various optional practical expedients. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Measurement of credit losses on financial instruments

In June 2016, an accounting standard update was issued which replaces the existing incurred loss impairment methodology for most financial assets with a new “current expected credit loss” model. The new model will result in the immediate recognition of the estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of financial assets such as trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, except that the losses will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down of the security.

 

This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows

In August 2016, an accounting standard update was issued which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, the settlement of zero coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration paid after a business combination, proceeds from insurance settlements, distributions from certain equity method investees and beneficial interests obtained in a financial asset securitization, should be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Income taxes – Intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory

In October 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that requires the Company to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs instead of when the asset has been sold to an outside party. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and is applicable on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Statement of cash flows - Restricted cash

In November 2016, an accounting standard update was issued which clarifies the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. It requires the inclusion of cash and cash equivalents that have restrictions on withdrawal or use in total cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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14         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Clarifying the definition of a business

In January 2017, an accounting standard update was issued which narrows the definition of a business. It also provides a framework for determining whether a set of transferred assets and activities involves a business. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets

In February 2017, an accounting standard update was issued which clarifies the scope of asset derecognition guidance, adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets and clarifies recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with noncustomers. The Company plans to adopt this update retrospectively as of January 1, 2018, with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of adoption in retained earnings. The Company does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Improving the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost

In March 2017, an accounting standard update was issued which changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. Under this standard, the Company will be required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of net benefit will be required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations. Under the amendment only the service cost component is allowed to be capitalized. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis for the presentation requirements and on a prospective basis for the capitalization of the service cost component requirements. The Company will adopt this update as of January 1, 2018, and does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Compensation—Stock Compensation

In May 2017, an accounting standard update was issued which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share‑based payment award as a modification. Under this update, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This update is effective prospectively and will apply to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. The Company does not believe that this update will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Derivatives and Hedging—Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, an accounting standard update was issued which expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. This update is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2019. For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the guidance requires a modified retrospective approach. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The Company will adopt this update as of January 1, 2019, and is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.



Note 3

Acquisitions and Divestments

 

Acquisitions

Acquisitions were as follows:

  

 

 

Nine months ended

 

Three months ended

 

($ in millions, except number of acquired businesses)

September 30, 2017

 

September 30, 2017

 

Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)(1)

2,108

 

2,099

 

Aggregate excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired(2)

1,338

 

1,334

 

Number of acquired businesses

4

 

2

 

(1) Excluding changes in cost and equity accounted companies.

(2) Recorded as goodwill.

 

In the table above, the “Acquisitions” and “Aggregate excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired” amounts for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017, relate primarily to the acquisition of Bernecker + Rainer Industrie-Elektronik GmbH (B&R). Acquisitions for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2016, were not significant.

 

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.

 

On July 6, 2017, the Company acquired the shares of B&R. B&R is a worldwide provider of product- and software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation. This acquisition closes a gap in the Company’s industrial automation portfolio and consequently the goodwill acquired represents the future benefits associated with product portfolio expansion.

 

15         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

The aggregate preliminary allocation of the purchase consideration for business acquisitions in 2017, was as follows:

  

 

($ in millions)

Allocated amounts(1)

Weighted-average

 

 

 

useful life

 

Technology

412

7 years

 

Customer relationships

267

19 years

 

Trade names

85

10 years

 

Order backlog

1

3 months

 

Intangible assets

765

 

 

Fixed assets

131

 

 

Debt acquired

(50)

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

(221)

 

 

Inventories

168

 

 

Other assets and liabilities, net

(23)

 

 

Goodwill(2)

1,338

 

 

Total consideration (net of cash acquired) (3)

2,108

 

 

(1) Excludes measurement period adjustments related to prior year acquisitions.

(2) The Company does not expect the goodwill recognized to be deductible for income tax purposes.

(3) Primarily relates to the acquisition of B&R.

 

Divestment of the high-voltage cable system business

For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded net gains (including transaction costs) of $330 million and net losses (including transaction costs) of $1 million, respectively, in “Other income (expense), net”. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an associated tax expense of $28 million relating to the divestment of consolidated businesses was recorded in “Provision for taxes”. These are primarily due to the divestment in March 2017, of the Company’s high-voltage cable system business (the Cables business).

 

The Company has retained certain obligations of the Cables business and thus the Company remains directly or indirectly liable for these liabilities which existed at the date of the divestment. Subsequent to the divestment, the Company recorded a loss of $94 million for changes in the amounts recorded for these obligations. In addition, the Company has provided certain performance guarantees to third parties which guarantee the performance of the buyer under existing contracts with customers as well as for certain capital expenditures of the divested business (see Note 7).

 

There were no significant gains or losses recognized relating to divestments in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2016.

  

Changes in total goodwill were as follows:

  

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Total Goodwill

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

 

 

9,501

 

Goodwill acquired during the year(1)

 

 

 

1,338

 

Goodwill allocated to disposals

 

 

 

(2)

 

Exchange rate differences and other

 

 

 

343

 

Balance at September 31, 2017

 

 

 

11,180

 

 (1) Includes primarily goodwill in respect of B&R, acquired in July 2017, which has been allocated to the Industrial Automation operating segment.

 

Acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions

On September 25, 2017, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire GE Industrial Solutions, GE’s global electrification solutions business, for $2.6 billion. The acquisition will strengthen the Company’s global position in electrification and expand its access to the North American market through strong customer relationships, large installed base and extensive distribution networks, and has significant value creation potential. GE Industrial Solutions is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company expects to complete the acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions in the first half of 2018 following the receipt of customary regulatory approvals.

  

 

16         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Note 4

Cash and equivalents, marketable securities and short-term investments

 

Cash and equivalents, marketable securities and short-term investments consisted of the following:

  

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

Gross

Gross

 

 

securities

 

 

 

 

unrealized

unrealized

 

Cash and

and short-term

 

($ in millions)

Cost basis

gains

losses

Fair value

equivalents

investments

 

Cash

1,648

 

 

1,648

1,648

 

Time deposits

2,078

 

 

2,078

2,001

77

 

Other short-term investments

304

 

 

304

304

 

Debt securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations

207

1

(2)

206

206

 

 

European government obligations

34

34

34

 

 

Other government obligations

2

2

2

 

 

Corporate

212

2

(1)

213

213

 

Equity securities available-for-sale

150

12

162

162

 

Total

4,635

15

(3)

4,647

3,649

998



 

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

Gross

Gross

 

 

 securities 

 

 

 

 

unrealized

unrealized

 

Cash and

and short-term

 

($ in millions)

Cost basis

gains

losses

Fair value

equivalents

investments

 

Cash

1,704

 

 

1,704

1,704

 

Time deposits

2,764

 

 

2,764

1,940

824

 

Other short-term investments

271

 

 

271

271

 

Debt securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations

221

1

(2)

220

220

 

 

Other government obligations

2

2

2

 

 

Corporate

95

1

(1)

95

95

 

Equity securities available-for-sale

530

11

541

541

 

Total

5,587

13

(3)

5,597

3,644

1,953

 

Included in Other short-term investments at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, are receivables of $301 million and $268 million, respectively, representing reverse repurchase agreements. These collateralized lendings, made to a financial institution, have maturity dates of less than one year.



Note 5

Derivative financial instruments

 

The Company is exposed to certain currency, commodity, interest rate and equity risks arising from its global operating, financing and investing activities. The Company uses derivative instruments to reduce and manage the economic impact of these exposures.

 

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 the 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 the 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.

 

17         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Interest rate risk

The Company has issued bonds at fixed rates. Interest rate swaps are used to manage the interest rate risk associated with certain debt and generally such swaps are designated as fair value hedges. In addition, from time to time, the Company uses instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, bond futures or forward rate agreements to manage interest rate risk arising from the Company’s balance sheet structure but does not designate such instruments as hedges.

 

Equity risk

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in the fair value of its warrant appreciation rights (WARs) issued under its management incentive plan. A WAR gives its holder the right to receive cash equal to the market price of an equivalent listed warrant on the date of exercise. To eliminate such risk, the Company has purchased cash-settled call options, indexed to the shares of the Company, which entitle the Company to receive amounts equivalent to its obligations under the outstanding WARs.

 

Volume of derivative activity

In general, while the Company’s primary objective in its use of derivatives is to minimize exposures arising from its business, certain derivatives are designated and qualify for hedge accounting treatment while others either are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting.

 

Foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives

The gross notional amounts of outstanding foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives (whether designated as hedges or not) were as follows:

 

 

Type of derivative

Total notional amounts at

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

September 30, 2016

 

Foreign exchange contracts

16,562

15,353

16,381

 

Embedded foreign exchange derivatives

1,845

2,162

2,919

 

Interest rate contracts

5,310

3,021

3,348

 

Derivative commodity contracts

The following table shows the notional amounts of outstanding commodity derivatives (whether designated as hedges or not), on a net basis, to reflect the Company’s requirements in the various commodities:

 

 

Type of derivative

Unit

Total notional amounts at

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

September 30, 2016

 

Copper swaps

metric tonnes

44,013

47,425

54,321

 

Aluminum swaps

metric tonnes

5,300

4,650

4,950

 

Nickel swaps

metric tonnes

12

 

Lead swaps

metric tonnes

125

15,100

18,025

 

Zinc swaps

metric tonnes

250

150

150

 

Silver swaps

ounces

2,074,213

1,586,395

1,885,370

 

Crude oil swaps

barrels

173,398

121,000

122,000

 

Equity derivatives

At September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, and September 30, 2016, the Company held 43 million, 47 million and 49 million cash-settled call options indexed to ABB Ltd shares (conversion ratio 5:1) with a total fair value of $35 million, $23 million and $28 million, respectively.

 

Cash flow hedges

As noted above, the Company mainly uses forward foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk of its operations, commodity swaps to manage its commodity risks and cash-settled call options to hedge its WAR liabilities. Where such instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in their fair value is recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same line item and in the same period as the underlying hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffectiveness in the hedge relationship, or hedge component excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, is recognized in earnings during the current period.

 

At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” included net unrealized gains of $4 million and net unrealized losses of $1 million, respectively, net of tax, on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. Of the amount at September 30, 2017, net gains of $6 million are expected to be reclassified to earnings in the following 12 months. At September 30, 2017, the longest maturity of a derivative classified as a cash flow hedge was 30 months.

 

The amount of gains or losses, net of tax, reclassified into earnings due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting and the amount of ineffectiveness in cash flow hedge relationships directly recognized in earnings were not significant in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments, designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, on “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (OCI) and the Consolidated Income Statements were as follows:

  

 

 

Gains (losses) recognized in OCI

 

 

Gains (losses) reclassified from OCI

 

($ in millions)

on derivatives (effective portion)

 

 

into income (effective portion)

 

Nine months ended September 30,

2017

2016

 

 

2017

2016

 

Type of derivative

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

8

8

 

Total revenues

(2)

(9)

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

3

9

 

Commodity contracts

6

1

 

Total cost of sales

5

(2)

 

Cash-settled call options

11

18

 

SG&A expenses(1)

9

12

 

Total

25

27

 

 

15

10

 

18         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Gains (losses) recognized in OCI

 

 

Gains (losses) reclassified from OCI

 

($ in millions)

on derivatives (effective portion)

 

 

into income (effective portion)

 

Three months ended September 30,

2017

2016

 

 

2017

2016

 

Type of derivative

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

(2)

8

 

Total revenues

1

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

2

 

Commodity contracts

4

 

Total cost of sales

1

1

 

Cash-settled call options

(1)

15

 

SG&A expenses(1)

11

 

Total

1

23

 

 

2

11

 

(1) SG&A  expenses  represent  “Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses”.

 

The amounts in respect of gains (losses) recognized in income for hedge ineffectiveness and amounts excluded from effectiveness testing were not significant for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

Net derivative gains of $11 million and $9 million, both net of tax, were reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, net derivative gains of $1 million and $9 million, both net of tax, respectively, were reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to earnings.

 

Fair value hedges

To reduce its interest rate exposure arising primarily from its debt issuance activities, the Company uses interest rate swaps. Where such instruments are designated as fair value hedges, the changes in the fair value of these instruments, as well as the changes in the fair value of the risk component of the underlying debt being hedged, are recorded as offsetting gains and losses in “Interest and other finance expense”. Hedge ineffectiveness of instruments designated as fair value hedges for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was not significant.

 

The effect of interest rate contracts, designated and qualifying as fair value hedges, on the Consolidated Income Statements was as follows:

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Gains (losses) recognized in Interest and other finance expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 - on derivatives designated as fair value hedges

(3)

32

(3)

(16)

 

 - on hedged item

5

(30)

2

17

 

Derivatives not designated in hedge relationships

Derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or do not qualify as either cash flow or fair value hedges are economic hedges used for risk management purposes. Gains and losses from changes in the fair values of such derivatives are recognized in the same line in the income statement as the economically hedged transaction.

 

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:

  

 

Type of derivative not

Gains (losses) recognized in income

 

designated as a hedge

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions)

Location

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Foreign exchange contracts

Total revenues

203

(19)

36

(42)

 

 

Total cost of sales

(40)

(69)

(14)

(10)

 

 

SG&A expenses(1)

(19)

(5)

(9)

 

 

Non-order related research

 

 

 

 

 

 

and development

(1)

 

 

Other income (expense), net

(1)

 

 

Interest and other finance expense

42

(45)

29

3

 

Embedded foreign exchange

Total revenues

(30)

(41)

(7)

8

 

contracts

Total cost of sales

1

7

1

1

 

 

SG&A expenses(1)

5

1

 

Commodity contracts

Total cost of sales

31

15

13

5

 

Other

Interest and other finance expense

(2)

2

1

3

 

Total

 

190

(155)

50

(32)

 

(1) SG&A  expenses  represent  “Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses”.

 

19         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

The fair values of derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

  

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

Derivative assets

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

Current in

Non-current in

 

Current in

Non-current in

 

 

“Other current

“Other non-current

 

“Other current

“Other non-current

 

($ in millions)

assets”

assets”

 

liabilities”

liabilities”

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

4

 

4

1

 

Commodity contracts

3

 

1

 

Interest rate contracts

1

60

 

 

Cash-settled call options

22

11

 

 

Total

30

71

 

5

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

143

28

 

165

56

 

Commodity contracts

30

1

 

7

 

Cash-settled call options

1

1

 

 

Embedded foreign exchange derivatives

27

14

 

32

6

 

Total

201

44

 

204

62

 

Total fair value

231

115

 

209

63



 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

Derivative assets

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

Current in

Non-current in

 

Current in

Non-current in

 

 

“Other current

“Other non-current

 

“Other current

“Other non-current

 

($ in millions)

assets”

assets”

 

liabilities”

liabilities”

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

5

 

6

5

 

Commodity contracts

2

 

 

Interest rate contracts

2

62

 

 

Cash-settled call options

13

9

 

 

Total

22

71

 

6

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

169

29

 

257

77

 

Commodity contracts

29

2

 

6

1

 

Cross-currency interest rate swaps

2

 

 

Cash-settled call options

1

 

 

Embedded foreign exchange derivatives

58

21

 

35

18

 

Total

256

55

 

298

96

 

Total fair value

278

126

 

304

101

 

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 September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, have been presented on a gross basis.

 

20         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

The Company’s netting agreements and other similar arrangements allow net settlements under certain conditions. At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, information related to these offsetting arrangements was as follows:

  

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

 

 

Gross amount

Derivative liabilities

Cash

Non-cash

 

 

Type of agreement or

of recognized

eligible for set-off

collateral

collateral

Net asset

 

similar arrangement

assets

in case of default

received

received

exposure

 

Derivatives

305

(170)

135

 

Reverse repurchase agreements

301

(301)

 

Total

606

(170)

(301)

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

 

 

Gross amount

Derivative liabilities

Cash

Non-cash

 

 

Type of agreement or

 of recognized

eligible for set-off

collateral

collateral

Net liability

 

similar arrangement

liabilities

in case of default

pledged

pledged

exposure

 

Derivatives

234

(170)

64

 

Total

234

(170)

64

 

 

($ in millions)

December 31, 2016

 

 

Gross amount

Derivative liabilities

Cash

Non-cash

 

 

Type of agreement or

 of recognized

eligible for set-off

collateral

collateral

Net asset

 

similar arrangement

 assets 

in case of default

received

received

exposure

 

Derivatives

325

(190)

135

 

Reverse repurchase agreements

268

(268)

 

Total

593

(190)

(268)

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

December 31, 2016

 

 

Gross amount

Derivative liabilities

Cash

Non-cash

 

 

Type of agreement or

 of recognized

eligible for set-off

collateral

 collateral 

Net liability

 

similar arrangement

liabilities

 in case of default

pledged

pledged

exposure

 

Derivatives

352

(190)

162

 

Total

352

(190)

162



Note 6

Fair values

 

The Company uses fair value measurement principles to record certain financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis and, when necessary, to record certain non‑financial assets at fair value on a non‑recurring basis, as well as to determine fair value disclosures for certain financial instruments carried at amortized cost in the financial statements. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include foreign currency, commodity and interest rate derivatives, as well as cash‑settled call options and available‑for‑sale securities. Non‑financial assets recorded at fair value on a non‑recurring basis include long‑lived assets that are reduced to their estimated fair value due to impairments.

 

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 reliability 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.

 

The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

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 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, reverse repurchase agreements, certain debt securities that are not actively traded, interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, cash‑settled call options, 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. However, for the purpose of determining the fair value of cash‑settled call options serving as hedges of the Company’s management incentive plan, bid prices are used.

 

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

21         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

disorderly or if quoted prices are not available, the Company is required to use another valuation technique, such as an income approach.

 

Recurring fair value measures

The fair values of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

  

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

($ in millions)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities in “Marketable securities and short-term investments”:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

162

162

 

Debt securities—U.S. government obligations

206

206

 

Debt securities—European government obligations

34

34

 

Debt securities—Other government obligations

2

2

 

Debt securities—Corporate

213

213

 

Derivative assets—current in “Other current assets”

231

231

 

Derivative assets—non-current in “Other non-current assets”

115

115

 

Total

240

723

963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities—current in “Other current liabilities”

209

209

 

Derivative liabilities—non-current in “Other non-current liabilities”

63

63

 

Total

272

272



 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

($ in millions)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities in “Marketable securities and short-term investments”:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

541

541

 

Debt securities—U.S. government obligations

220

220

 

Debt securities—Other government obligations

2

2

 

Debt securities—Corporate

95

95

 

Derivative assets—current in “Other current assets”

278

278

 

Derivative assets—non-current in “Other non-current assets”

126

126

 

Total

220

1,042

1,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities—current in “Other current liabilities”

304

304

 

Derivative liabilities—non-current in “Other non-current liabilities”

101

101

 

Total

405

405

 

The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

·          Available-for-sale 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 nonperformance 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). 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. Cash-settled call options hedging the Company’s WAR liability are valued based on bid prices of the equivalent listed warrant. The fair values obtained using price quotes for similar instruments or valuation techniques represent a Level 2 input unless significant unobservable inputs are used.

 

Non-recurring fair value measures

There were no significant non-recurring fair value measurements during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

22         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Disclosure about financial instruments carried on a cost basis

The fair values of financial instruments carried on a cost basis were as follows:

  

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

($ in millions)

Carrying value

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents (excluding available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

with original maturities up to 3 months):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

1,648

 

1,648

1,648

 

Time deposits

2,001

 

2,001

2,001

 

Marketable securities and short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(excluding available-for-sale securities):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time deposits

77

 

77

77

 

Receivables under reverse repurchase agreements

301

 

301

301

 

Other short-term investments

3

 

3

3

 

Other non-current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans granted

32

 

34

34

 

Restricted cash deposits

43

 

43

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(excluding capital lease obligations)

810

 

359

451

810

 

Long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations)

6,928

 

6,390

797

7,187



 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

($ in millions)

Carrying value

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents (excluding available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

with original maturities up to 3 months):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

1,704

 

1,704

1,704

 

Time deposits

1,940

 

1,940

1,940

 

Marketable securities and short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(excluding available-for-sale securities):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time deposits

824

 

824

824

 

Receivables under reverse repurchase agreements

268

 

268

268

 

Other short-term investments

3

 

3

3

 

Other non-current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans granted

30

 

31

31

 

Restricted cash deposits

59

 

59

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(excluding capital lease obligations)

980

 

856

124

980

 

Long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations)

5,709

 

5,208

784

5,992

 

The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial instruments carried on a cost basis:

 

·          Cash and equivalents (excluding available-for-sale securities with original maturities up to 3 months), and Marketable securities and short-term investments (excluding available-for-sale securities): The carrying amounts approximate the fair values as the items are short-term in nature.

·          Other non-current assets: Includes (i) loans granted whose fair values are based on the carrying amount adjusted using a present value technique to reflect a premium or discount based on current market interest rates (Level 2 inputs), and (ii) restricted cash whose fair values approximate the carrying amounts (Level 1 inputs).

·          Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital 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 capital lease obligations, approximate their fair values.

·          Long-term debt (excluding capital 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).



23         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Note 7

Commitments and contingencies

  

Contingencies—Regulatory, Compliance and Legal

Antitrust

In April 2014, the European Commission announced its decision regarding its investigation of anticompetitive practices in the cables industry and granted the Company full immunity from fines under the European Commission’s leniency program. In December 2013, the Company agreed with the Brazilian Antitrust Authority (CADE) to settle its ongoing investigation into the Company’s involvement in anticompetitive practices in the cables industry and the Company agreed to pay a fine of approximately 1.5 million Brazilian reals (equivalent to approximately $1 million on date of payment).

 

In Brazil, the Company’s Gas Insulated Switchgear business is under investigation by the CADE for alleged anticompetitive practices. In addition, the CADE has opened an investigation into certain other power businesses of the Company, including flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) and power transformers. With respect to these matters, management is cooperating fully with the authorities. An informed judgment about the outcome of these investigations or the amount of potential loss or range of loss for the Company, if any, relating to these investigations cannot be made at this stage.

 

Suspect payments

As a result of an internal investigation, the Company self-reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the United States as well as to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the United Kingdom concerning certain of its past dealings with Unaoil and its subsidiaries, including alleged improper payments made by these entities to third parties. The SFO has commenced an investigation into this matter. The Company is cooperating fully with the authorities. At this time, it is not possible for the Company to make an informed judgment about the outcome of these matters.

 

General

In addition, 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 various legal proceedings, investigations, and claims that have not yet been resolved. With respect to the above mentioned regulatory matters and commercial litigation contingencies, the Company will bear the costs of the continuing investigations and any related legal proceedings.

 

Liabilities recognized

At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had aggregate liabilities of $220 million and $150 million, 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 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 material 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)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

Performance guarantees

1,477

193

 

Financial guarantees

18

69

 

Indemnification guarantees

74

71

 

Total

1,569

333

 

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 September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, 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 2027, 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 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 eight years.

 

In conjunction with the divestment of the high-voltage cable system business, the Company has entered into various performance guarantees with other parties with respect to certain liabilities of the divested business. At September 30, 2017, the maximum potential payable under these guarantees amounts to $922 million and these guarantees have various maturities ranging from one to ten years.

 

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 September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the total outstanding performance bonds aggregated to $8.1  billion and $7.9 billion, respectively. There have been no significant amounts reimbursed to financial institutions under these types of arrangements in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

24         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Product and order-related contingencies

The Company calculates its provision for product warranties based on historical claims experience and specific review of certain contracts.

The reconciliation of the “Provisions for warranties”, including guarantees of product performance, was as follows:

  

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

 

Balance at January 1,

1,142

1,089

 

Net change in warranties due to acquisitions and divestments

30

 

Claims paid in cash or in kind

(247)

(238)

 

Net increase in provision for changes in estimates, warranties issued and warranties expired

184

240

 

Exchange rate differences

91

13

 

Balance at September 30,

1,200

1,104

 

During 2016, the Company determined that the provision for product warranties in its solar business, acquired in 2013 as part of the purchase of Power-One, was no longer sufficient to cover expected warranty costs in the remaining warranty period. Due to higher than originally expected product failure rates for certain solar inverters designed and manufactured by Power-One, a substantial portion of which relates to products which were delivered to customers prior to the acquisition date, the previously estimated product warranty provision was increased during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2016, by $41 million and $18 million, respectively. The corresponding increases were included in Cost of sales of products and resulted in a decrease in both basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.02 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and a decrease of $0.01 (basic) for the three months ended September 30, 2016. As $39 million and $17 million of these warranty costs for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, relate to products which were sold prior to the acquisition date, these costs have been excluded from the Company’s primary measure of segment performance, Operational EBITA (See Note 14).

 

The information for 2016 contained in the table above has been adjusted to correct a classification difference between Claims paid in cash and kind and Net effect of changes in estimates, warranties issued and warranties expired.



Note 8

Debt

 

The Company’s total debt at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, amounted to $7,892 million and $6,803 million, respectively.

 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

The Company’s “Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt” consisted of the following:

  

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

Short-term debt

483

135

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

348

868

 

Total

831

1,003

 

Short-term debt primarily represented issued commercial paper and short-term loans from various banks. At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, $406 million and $57 million, respectively, was outstanding under the $2 billion commercial paper program in the United States.

 

In May 2017, the Company repaid at maturity the USD 500 million 1.625% Notes.

 

Long-term debt

The Company’s long-term debt at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, amounted to $7,061 million and $5,800 million, respectively.

 

Outstanding bonds (including maturities within the next 12 months) were as follows:

  

 

 

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

(in millions)

Nominal outstanding

 Carrying value(1)

Nominal outstanding

 Carrying value(1)

 

Bonds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.625% USD Notes, due 2017

 

 

 

USD

500

$

500

 

4.25% AUD Notes, due 2017

AUD

400

$

314

AUD

400

$

291

 

1.50% CHF Bonds, due 2018

CHF

350

$

360

CHF

350

$

342

 

2.625% EUR Instruments, due 2019

EUR

1,250

$

1,475

EUR

1,250

$

1,311

 

4.0% USD Notes, due 2021

USD

650

$

644

USD

650

$

643

 

2.25% CHF Bonds, due 2021

CHF

350

$

384

CHF

350

$

368

 

5.625% USD Notes, due 2021

USD

250

$

271

USD

250

$

274

 

2.875% USD Notes, due 2022

USD

1,250

$

1,260

USD

1,250

$

1,261

 

0.625% EUR Notes, due 2023

EUR

700

$

827

EUR

700

$

732

 

0.75% EUR Notes, due 2024

EUR

750

$

881

 

 

 

 

4.375% USD Notes, due 2042

USD

750

$

723

USD

750

$

722

 

Total  

 

 

$

7,139

 

 

$

6,444

 

(1) USD carrying values include unamortized debt issuance costs, bond discounts or premiums, as well as adjustments for fair value hedge accounting, where appropriate.

 

25         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

In May 2017, the Company issued notes with an aggregate principal of EUR 750 million, due 2024. The notes pay interest annually in arrears at a fixed rate of 0.75 percent per annum. The Company recorded net proceeds (after underwriting fees) of EUR 745 million (equivalent to approximately $824 million on date of issuance).



Note 9

Employee benefits

 

The Company operates defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans, and termination indemnity plans, in accordance with local regulations and practices. 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 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 and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following:

  

 

($ in millions)

Defined pension benefits

Other postretirement benefits

 

Nine months ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Service cost

178

191

1

1

 

Interest cost

193

213

3

4

 

Expected return on plan assets

(311)

(306)

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

14

30

(3)

(8)

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

69

65

(1)

 

Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits

2

2

 

Net periodic benefit cost

145

195

(3)

 

 

($ in millions)

Defined pension benefits

Other postretirement benefits

 

Three months ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Service cost

56

65

1

1

 

Interest cost

68

71

1

1

 

Expected return on plan assets

(109)

(102)

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

(4)

9

(1)

(2)

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

25

22

(1)

 

Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits

1

1

 

Net periodic benefit cost

37

66



Employer contributions were as follows:

  

 

($ in millions)

Defined pension benefits

Other postretirement benefits

 

Nine months ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Total contributions to defined benefit pension and

 

 

 

 

 

other postretirement benefit plans

145

184

7

9

 

 

($ in millions)

Defined pension benefits

Other postretirement benefits

 

Three months ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Total contributions to defined benefit pension and

 

 

 

 

 

other postretirement benefit plans

50

44

3

3



During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, total contributions included available-for-sale debt securities, having a fair value at the contribution date of $40 million, contributed to certain of the Company’s pension plans in Germany.

 

The Company expects to make contributions totaling approximately $226 million and $13 million to its defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, respectively, for the full year 2017.



26         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Note 10

Stockholders’ equity

Between September 2014 and September 2016, the Company executed a share buyback program for the purchase of up to $4 billion of its own shares and on September 30, 2016, announced that it had completed this program. Over the period of the share buyback, the Company purchased a total of 146.595 million shares (for approximately $3 billion) for cancellation and 24.740 million shares (for approximately $0.5 billion) to support its employee share programs.

 

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company purchased on the open market an aggregate of 10 million of its own shares. These shares were purchased outside of any share buyback program and are for use in connection with employee share programs. These transactions resulted in an increase in Treasury stock of $251 million.

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company delivered, out of treasury stock, 5.1 million shares for options exercised in connection with its Management Incentive Plan.

 

At the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on April 13, 2017, shareholders approved the proposal of the Board of Directors to distribute 0.76 Swiss francs per share to shareholders. The declared dividend amounted to $1,622 million and was paid in the second quarter of 2017. At the meeting, the shareholders also approved the proposal of the Board of Directors to reduce the share capital of the Company by cancelling 46,595,000 shares which were previously bought back under the share buyback program announced in September 2014. The cancellation was completed in July 2017, resulting in a decrease in Treasury stock of $953 million and a corresponding total decrease in Capital stock, Additional paid-in capital and Retained earnings.



Note 11

Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, assuming that all potentially dilutive securities were exercised, if dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities comprise outstanding written call options, and outstanding options and shares granted subject to certain conditions under the Company’s share-based payment arrangements.

  

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions, except per share data in $)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Amounts attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

1,826

1,460

576

552

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(6)

14

(5)

16

 

Net income

1,820

1,474

571

568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions)

2,138

2,155

2,134

2,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.26

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

0.01

 

Net income

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions, except per share data in $)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Amounts attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

1,826

1,460

576

552

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(6)

14

(5)

16

 

Net income

1,820

1,474

571

568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions)

2,138

2,155

2,134

2,135

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Call options and shares

9

4

8

4

 

Adjusted weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions)

2,147

2,159

2,142

2,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to ABB shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.26

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

0.01

 

Net income

0.85

0.68

0.27

0.27



27         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Note 12

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

The following table shows changes in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (OCI) attributable to ABB, by component, net of tax:

  

 

 

 

Unrealized gains

Pension and

Unrealized gains

 

 

 

Foreign currency

(losses) on

other

(losses) of cash

 

 

 

translation

available-for-sale

postretirement

flow hedge

 

 

($ in millions)

adjustments

securities

plan adjustments

derivatives

Total OCI

 

Balance at January 1, 2016

(3,135)

7

(1,719)

(11)

(4,858)

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

before reclassifications

105

8

22

22

157

 

Amounts reclassified from OCI

(1)

67

(9)

57

 

Changes attributable to divestments

(7)

(7)

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

98

7

89

13

207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 noncontrolling interests

1

1

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

(3,038)

14

(1,630)

2

(4,652)



 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains

Pension and

Unrealized gains

 

 

 

Foreign currency

(losses) on

other

(losses) of cash

 

 

 

translation

available-for-sale

postretirement

flow hedge

 

 

($ in millions)

adjustments

securities

plan adjustments

derivatives

Total OCI

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

(3,592)

7

(1,601)

(1)

(5,187)

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

before reclassifications

872

3

(156)

19

738

 

Amounts reclassified from OCI

60

(11)

49

 

Changes attributable to divestments(1)

(5)

6

(3)

(2)

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

867

3

(90)

5

785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 noncontrolling interests

17

17

 

Balance at September 30, 2017(2)

(2,741)

10

(1,691)

4

(4,418)

 

(1) Amounts relate to the divestment of the high-voltage cable system business and are included in the net gain from sale of the business (see  Note  3).

(2) Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add to the totals provided.

  

The following table reflects amounts reclassified out of OCI in respect of pension and other postretirement plan:

  

 

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

 

($ in millions)

Location of (gains) losses

September 30,

September 30,

 

Details about OCI components

reclassified from OCI

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and other postretirement plan adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

Net periodic benefit cost(1)

11

22

(5)

7

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Net periodic benefit cost(1)

68

65

24

22

 

Total before tax

 

79

87

19

29

 

Tax

Provision for taxes

(19)

(20)

(5)

(7)

 

Amounts reclassified from OCI

 

60

67

14

22

 

(1) These  components  are  included  in  the  computation  of  net  periodic  benefit  cost  (see  Note  9).

 

The amounts in respect of Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and Unrealized gains (losses) of cash flow hedge derivatives were not significant for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



28         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Note 13

Restructuring and related expenses

 

White Collar Productivity program

In September 2015, the Company announced a two-year program aimed at making the Company leaner, faster and more customer-focused. Productivity improvements include the rapid expansion and use of regional shared service centers as well as the streamlining of global operations and head office functions, with business units moving closer to their respective key markets. In the course of this program, the Company is implementing and executing various restructuring initiatives across all operating segments and regions.

 

Total expected program costs were originally estimated to be $852 million. During 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the total expected program costs were reduced by $332 million and $89 million, respectively, to $431 million. This was primarily due to the realization of significantly higher than originally expected attrition and internal re-deployment rates. The reductions were made across all operating segments as well as for corporate functions.

 

Liabilities associated with the White Collar Productivity program are primarily included in “Other provisions”. The following table shows the activity from the beginning of the program to September 30, 2017, by expense type.

  

 

 

Employee

Contract settlement,

 

 

($ in millions)

severance costs

loss order and other costs

Total

 

Liability at January 1, 2015

 

Expenses

364

5

369

 

Cash payments

(34)

(1)

(35)

 

Liability at December 31, 2015

330

4

334

 

Expenses

232

3

235

 

Cash payments

(106)

(3)

(109)

 

Change in estimates

(102)

(1)

(103)

 

Exchange rate differences

(23)

(23)

 

Liability at December 31, 2016

331

3

334

 

Expenses

24

1

25

 

Cash payments

(79)

(3)

(82)

 

Change in estimates

(118)

(118)

 

Exchange rate differences

26

26

 

Liability at September 30, 2017

184

1

185

 

The change in estimates during 2016 of $103 million is due to significantly higher than expected rates of attrition and internal re-deployment and a lower than expected severance cost per employee for the employee groups affected by the first phase of restructuring initiated in 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the change in estimates related to restructurings initiated in 2015 of $72 million was recorded in income from operations, primarily as reductions in Cost of sales of $34 million and in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $27 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the change in estimates of $44 million, related to restructurings initiated in 2015, was recorded primarily as reductions in Cost of sales of $21 million and in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $15 million.

 

The change in estimates for both the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2016, of $72 million and $44 million, respectively, resulted in an increase in earnings per share (basic and diluted) of $0.02 and $0.01 in the respective periods.

 

The change in estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, of $118 million, is mainly due to higher than expected rates of attrition and internal re‑deployment. The decrease in the liability was recorded in income from operations, primarily as reductions in Cost of sales of $65 million and in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the change in estimates of $58 million, related to restructurings initiated in both 2015 and 2016, was recorded primarily as reductions in Cost of sales of $36 million and in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $20 million.

 

The change in estimates for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2017, of $118 million and $58 million, respectively, resulted in an increase in earnings per share (basic and diluted) of $0.04 and $0.02, in the respective periods.

  

The following table outlines the net costs incurred in the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the cumulative net costs incurred to date and the total amount of costs expected to be incurred under the program per operating segment:

  

 

 

Net costs incurred(1)

Cumulative net

Total

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

cost incurred up to

expected

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

September 30, 2017(1)

 costs(1)

 

Electrification Products

(11)

26

(5)

(7)

78

79

 

Robotics and Motion

(10)

32

(7)

(10)

60

67

 

Industrial Automation

(19)

73

(11)

(9)

113

115

 

Power Grids

(25)

50

(14)

(10)

78

79

 

Corporate and Other

(27)

49

(10)

(3)

89

91

 

Total

(92)

230

(47)

(39)

418

431

 

(1) Net costs incurred in 2016, Cumulative net costs incurred up to September 30, 2017 and Total expected costs have been recast to reflect the reorganization of the Company’s operating segments as outlined in Note 14.

 

29         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

The Company recorded the following expenses, net of changes in estimates, under this program:

  

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

Cumulative costs

 

 

September 30,

September 30,

 incurred up to

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

September 30, 2017

 

Employee severance costs

(94)

229

(48)

(39)

400

 

Estimated contract settlement, loss order and other costs

1

1

8

 

Inventory and long-lived asset impairments

1

1

10

 

Total

(92)

230

(47)

(39)

418

 

Expenses, net of change in estimates, associated with this program are recorded in the following line items in the Consolidated Income Statements:

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Total cost of sales

(55)

139

(32)

(20)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

(32)

77

(15)

(13)

 

Non-order related research and development expenses

(6)

7

(2)

(3)

 

Other income (expense), net

1

7

2

(3)

 

Total

(92)

230

(47)

(39)

 

Other restructuring-related activities

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company executed various other restructuring‑related activities and incurred expenses of $140 million and $91 million, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, these expenses amounted to $82 million and $24 million, respectively.  These expenses mainly relate to employee severance costs and were primarily recorded in “Total cost of sales”.



 

Note 14

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’s operating segments consist of Electrification Products, Robotics and Motion, Industrial Automation and Power Grids. The remaining operations of the Company are included in Corporate and Other.

 

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company re-allocated the management responsibilities for certain businesses among the four reported operating segments. The primary change was the transfer to the Electrification Products segment of the electric vehicle charging, solar, and power quality businesses from the Discrete Automation and Motion segment. In addition, the Discrete Automation and Motion segment was renamed the Robotics and Motion segment while the Process Automation segment was renamed the Industrial Automation segment

 

The segment information for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2016 and at December 31, 2016, has been recast to reflect these organizational changes. In addition, total assets at December 31, 2016, has been adjusted to reflect the additional netting of deferred tax assets and liabilities which resulted from the adoption of an accounting standard update on the classification of deferred taxes.

 

Furthermore, the results for the Company’s high-voltage cable system business which, prior to its divestment in March, were included with the Power Grids operating segment, have been reclassified within Corporate and Other for all periods presented.

 

A description of the types of products and services provided by each reportable segment is as follows:

 

·           Electrification Products: manufactures and sells products and services including electric vehicle charging, solar inverters, modular substation packages, switchgear, UPS solutions, circuit breakers, control products, wiring accessories, enclosures and cabling systems, and intelligent home and building solutions designed to integrate and automate the lighting, heating and ventilation, and security and data communication networks.

 

·          Robotics and Motion: manufactures and sells robotics, motors, generators, drives, wind converters, components and systems for railways and related services and digital solutions for a wide range of applications in industry, transportation and infrastructure, and utilities.

 

·          Industrial Automation: develops and sells integrated automation and electrification systems and solutions, a comprehensive range of services ranging from repair to advanced services such as remote monitoring and preventive maintenance and cybersecurity services, process and discrete control solutions, advanced process control software and manufacturing execution systems, sensing, measurement and analytics, electric ship propulsion systems and large turbochargers, as well as solutions for modern machine and factory automation.

 

·          Power Grids: offers a range of products, systems, service and software solutions across the power value chain of generation, transmission and distribution, to utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customers. These offerings address existing and evolving grid needs such as the integration of renewables, network control, digital substations, microgrids and asset management. The division portfolio includes turnkey grid integration, transmission systems and substation solutions as well as a wide range of power, distribution and traction transformers, and an array of high-voltage products, such as circuit breakers, switchgear, capacitors.

 

·          Corporate and Other: includes headquarters, central research and development, the Company’s real estate activities, Group Treasury Operations, historical operating activities of certain divested businesses, and other minor business activities.

 

The Company evaluates the profitability of its segments based on Operational EBITA, which represents income from operations excluding:

·          amortization expense on intangibles arising upon acquisitions (acquisition-related amortization),

·          restructuring and restructuring-related expenses,

·          non-operational pension cost comprising: (a) interest cost, (b) expected return on plan assets, (c) amortization of prior service cost (credit), (d) amortization of net actuarial loss, and (e) curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits,

·          changes in the amount recorded for retained obligations of divested businesses occurring after the divestment date (changes in retained obligations of

30         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

divested businesses),

·          changes in estimates relating to opening balance sheets of acquired businesses (changes in pre-acquisition estimates),

·          gains and losses from sale of businesses,

·          acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items, as well as

·          foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations consisting of: (a) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange, commodities, embedded derivatives), (b) realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged transaction has not yet been realized, and (c) unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and related assets/liabilities).

 

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 segment revenues, Operational EBITA, and the reconciliations of consolidated Operational EBITA to Income from continuing operations before taxes for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, as well as total assets at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016.

  

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2017

Nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

Third-party

Intersegment

Total

Third-party

Intersegment

Total

 

($ in millions)

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

 

Electrification Products

7,045

353

7,398

6,860

427

7,287

 

Robotics and Motion

5,825

389

6,214

5,528

385

5,913

 

Industrial Automation

4,850

111

4,961

4,877

127

5,004

 

Power Grids

7,220

365

7,585

7,309

399

7,708

 

Corporate and Other

92

1,112

1,204

261

1,316

1,577

 

Intersegment elimination

(2,330)

(2,330)

(2,654)

(2,654)

 

Consolidated

25,032

25,032

24,835

24,835

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2017

Three months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

Third-party

Intersegment

Total

Third-party

Intersegment

Total

 

($ in millions)

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

revenues

 

Electrification Products

2,478

118

2,596

2,321

141

2,462

 

Robotics and Motion

2,056

145

2,201

1,889

118

2,007

 

Industrial Automation

1,766

38

1,804

1,533

37

1,570

 

Power Grids

2,413

120

2,533

2,403

135

2,538

 

Corporate and Other

11

399

410

109

412

521

 

Intersegment elimination

(820)

(820)

(843)

(843)

 

Consolidated

8,724

8,724

8,255

8,255

 

 

 

Nine months ended

Three months ended

 

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Operational EBITA:

 

 

 

 

 

Electrification Products

1,112

1,108

417

401

 

Robotics and Motion

942

945

356

330

 

Industrial Automation

635

617

226

195

 

Power Grids

750

681

248

244

 

Corporate and Other and Intersegment elimination

(330)

(217)

(123)

(107)

 

Consolidated Operational EBITA

3,109

3,134

1,124

1,063

 

Acquisition-related amortization

(189)

(212)

(74)

(70)

 

Restructuring and restructuring-related expenses(1)

(224)

(475)

(92)

(39)

 

Non-operational pension cost

34

20

 

Changes in retained obligations of divested businesses

(94)

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

(39)

(17)

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

330

(1)

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items

(234)

(46)

(68)

(35)

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange,

 

 

 

 

 

commodities, embedded derivatives)

138

(43)

(31)

(8)

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

40

11

22

(3)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and

 

 

 

 

 

related assets/liabilities)

(88)

(21)

8

(13)

 

Income from operations

2,822

2,309

908

878

 

Interest and dividend income

55

54

20

16

 

Interest and other finance expense

(227)

(230)

(74)

(84)

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

2,650

2,133

854

810

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

 

31         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Total assets(1)

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

Electrification Products

11,294

9,881

 

Robotics and Motion

8,415

7,943

 

Industrial Automation

6,884

4,310

 

Power Grids

8,639

8,728

 

Corporate and Other

7,175

8,340

 

Consolidated

42,407

39,202

 

(1) Total assets are after intersegment eliminations and therefore reflect third-party assets only.

  

 

32         Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

  

 

33      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions

 

 

 

 

The following reconciliations and definitions include measures which ABB uses to supplement its Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited) which is prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). Certain of these financial measures are, or may be, considered non-GAAP financial measures as defined in the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

While ABB’s management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures herein are useful in evaluating ABB’s operating results, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Therefore these measures should not be viewed in isolation but considered together with the Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited) prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP as of and for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Comparable growth rates

 

Growth rates for certain key figures may be presented and discussed on a “comparable” basis. The comparable growth rate measures growth on a constant currency basis. Since we are a global company, the comparability of our operating results reported in U.S. dollars is affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We calculate the impacts from foreign currency fluctuations by translating the current-year periods’ reported key figures into U.S. dollar amounts using the exchange rates in effect for the comparable periods in the previous year.

 

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.

 

Divisional comparable growth rate reconciliation

 

 

Q3 2017 compared to Q3 2016

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Division

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Electrification Products

7%

0%

0%

7%

 

5%

0%

0%

5%

 

Robotics and Motion

5%

-1%

0%

4%

 

10%

-2%

0%

8%

 

Industrial Automation

33%

-2%

-17%

14%

 

15%

-2%

-12%

1%

 

Power Grids

-6%

0%

0%

-6%

 

0%

-2%

0%

-2%

 

ABB Group

8%

0%

-3%

5%

 

6%

-2%

-1%

3%



 

 

 

9M 2017 compared to 9M 2016

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Division

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Electrification Products

1%

2%

0%

3%

 

2%

1%

0%

3%

 

Robotics and Motion

7%

1%

0%

8%

 

5%

1%

0%

6%

 

Industrial Automation

8%

1%

-5%

4%

 

-1%

1%

-4%

-4%

 

Power Grids

-11%

2%

0%

-9%

 

-2%

2%

1%

1%

 

ABB Group

-1%

1%

1%

1%

 

1%

1%

0%

2%



34      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Regional comparable growth rate reconciliation

 

 

Q3 2017 compared to Q3 2016

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Region

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Europe

18%

-4%

-6%

8%

 

12%

-4%

-2%

6%

 

The Americas

6%

-1%

-1%

4%

 

-2%

-1%

-1%

-4%

 

Asia, Middle East and Africa

2%

1%

-1%

2%

 

7%

0%

-1%

6%

 

ABB Group

8%

0%

-3%

5%

 

6%

-2%

-1%

3%



 

 

 

9M 2017 compared to 9M 2016

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Region

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Europe

1%

1%

3%

5%

 

3%

2%

1%

6%

 

The Americas

4%

-1%

0%

3%

 

-1%

0%

0%

-1%

 

Asia, Middle East and Africa

-5%

2%

0%

-3%

 

0%

2%

0%

2%

 

ABB Group

-1%

1%

1%

1%

 

1%

1%

0%

2%



Order backlog growth rate reconciliation

 

 

September 30, 2017 compared to September 30, 2016

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

 

Division

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

 

Electrification Products

-4%

0%

0%

-4%

 

 

Robotics and Motion

3%

-1%

0%

2%

 

 

Industrial Automation

-2%

-1%

-2%

-5%

 

 

Power Grids

-3%

-2%

1%

-4%

 

 

ABB Group

-5%

-1%

5%

-1%

 



Other growth rate reconciliations

 

 

Q3 2017 compared to Q3 2016

 

9M 2017 compared to 9M 2016

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Large orders

-4%

-1%

0%

-5%

 

-27%

2%

9%

-16%

 

Base orders

10%

-1%

-3%

6%

 

3%

1%

-1%

3%

 

Services and software orders

12%

-2%

1%

11%

 

7%

1%

0%

8%

 

Services and software revenues

2%

-1%

1%

2%

 

0%

0%

1%

1%

35      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Division realignment

 

Effective January 1, 2017, we changed the composition of the business portfolio of our four divisions. The scope of the Electrification Products division was expanded to include the electric vehicle charging, solar, and power quality businesses from the Discrete Automation and Motion division. In addition, the Discrete Automation and Motion division was renamed the Robotics and Motion division while the Process Automation division was renamed the Industrial Automation division. Furthermore the operations of certain divested businesses have been excluded from the results of the Power Grids division (but are included in the total ABB Group as part of Corporate and other) for the periods prior to their respective divestment. See Note 14 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited) for further details on the realignment.

 

The following information presents a reconciliation of growth rates of orders and revenues for 2016 compared with 2015 to reflect these organizational changes:

 

Divisional comparable growth rate reconciliation

 

 

Q3 2016 compared to Q3 2015

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Division

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Electrification Products

-8%

1%

0%

-7%

 

-2%

2%

0%

0%

 

Robotics and Motion

-2%

1%

0%

-1%

 

0%

1%

0%

1%

 

Industrial Automation

-21%

1%

0%

-20%

 

-8%

1%

0%

-7%

 

Power Grids

-20%

1%

0%

-19%

 

-6%

1%

5%

0%

 

ABB Group

-14%

1%

0%

-13%

 

-3%

1%

2%

0%



 

 

 

9M 2016 compared to 9M 2015

 

 

Order growth rate

 

Revenue growth rate

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

US$

Foreign

 

 

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

(as

exchange

Portfolio

 

 

Division

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

reported)

impact

changes

Comparable

 

Electrification Products

-7%

3%

0%

-4%

 

-4%

3%

0%

-1%

 

Robotics and Motion

-8%

3%

0%

-5%

 

-4%

2%

0%

-2%

 

Industrial Automation

-21%

3%

0%

-18%

 

-8%

3%

0%

-5%

 

Power Grids

-9%

2%

1%

-6%

 

-6%

2%

4%

0%

 

ABB Group

-11%

3%

0%

-8%

 

-5%

3%

1%

-1%

36      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Operational EBITA margin

 

Definition

Operational EBITA margin

Operational EBITA margin is Operational EBITA as a percentage of Operational revenues.

 

Operational EBITA

Operational earnings before interest, taxes and acquisition-related amortization (Operational EBITA) represents Income from operations excluding:

·          acquisition-related amortization (as defined below),

·          restructuring and restructuring-related expenses,

·          non-operational pension cost (as defined below),

·          changes in the amount recorded for retained obligations of divested businesses occurring after the divestment date (changes in retained obligations of divested businesses),

·          changes in pre-acquisition estimates,

·          gains and losses from sale of businesses,

·          acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items, as well as

·          foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations consisting of: (a) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange, commodities, embedded derivatives), (b) realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged transaction has not yet been realized, and (c) unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and related assets/liabilities).

 

Amounts relating to changes in retained obligations of divested businesses (as defined above), were previously included within acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items. In periods prior to 2017, there were no significant amounts to warrant separate presentation.

 

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.

 

Non-operational pension cost

Non-operational pension cost comprises the total net periodic benefit cost of defined pension benefits and other postretirement benefits but excludes the current service cost of both components. A breakdown of the components of non-operational pension cost is provided below.

 

Reconciliation

The following tables provide reconciliations of consolidated Operational EBITA to Net Income and Operational EBITA Margin by division.

 

Reconciliation of consolidated Operational EBITA to Net Income

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Operational EBITA

3,109

3,134

1,124

1,063

 

Acquisition-related amortization

(189)

(212)

(74)

(70)

 

Restructuring and restructuring-related expenses(1)

(224)

(475)

(92)

(39)

 

Non-operational pension cost

34

20

 

Changes in retained obligations of divested businesses

(94)

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

(39)

(17)

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

330

(1)

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items

(234)

(46)

(68)

(35)

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange,

 

 

 

 

 

commodities, embedded derivatives)

138

(43)

(31)

(8)

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

40

11

22

(3)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and

 

 

 

 

 

related assets/liabilities)

(88)

(21)

8

(13)

 

Income from operations

2,822

2,309

908

878

 

Interest and dividend income

55

54

20

16

 

Interest and other finance expense

(227)

(230)

(74)

(84)

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

2,650

2,133

854

810

 

Provision for taxes

(702)

(587)

(246)

(237)

 

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

1,948

1,546

608

573

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(6)

14

(5)

16

 

Net income

1,942

1,560

603

589

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

37      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Reconciliation of Operational EBITA margin by division

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other and

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

Intersegment

 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

elimination

Consolidated

 

Total revenues

7,398

6,214

4,961

7,585

(1,126)

25,032

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on derivatives

(36)

(1)

(30)

(61)

(21)

(149)

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

2

(11)

(30)

(39)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables (and related assets)

9

1

16

54

80

 

Operational revenues

7,371

6,216

4,936

7,548

(1,147)

24,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

1,032

859

560

654

(283)

2,822

 

Acquisition-related amortization

76

50

25

25

13

189

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

11

29

50

49

85

224

 

Non-operational pension cost

2

1

4

(41)

(34)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

94

94

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

(2)

(328)

(330)

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

24

(1)

26

61

124

234

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(foreign exchange, commodities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

embedded derivatives)

(36)

(5)

(36)

(74)

13

(138)

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

2

(7)

(32)

(3)

(40)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables/payables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(and related assets/liabilities)

3

7

15

67

(4)

88

 

Operational EBITA

1,112

942

635

750

(330)

3,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

15.1%

15.2%

12.9%

9.9%

n.a.

12.5%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

 

38      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other and

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

Intersegment

 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

elimination

Consolidated

 

Total revenues

7,287

5,913

5,004

7,708

(1,077)

24,835

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on derivatives

1

(1)

10

16

16

42

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

(5)

1

7

(5)

(2)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables (and related assets)

3

2

14

2

21

 

Operational revenues

7,286

5,915

5,035

7,721

(1,061)

24,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

917

812

478

536

(434)

2,309

 

Acquisition-related amortization

92

71

9

27

13

212

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

52

53

100

106

164

475

 

Non-operational pension cost

3

(3)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

39

39

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

1

4

6

35

46

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(foreign exchange, commodities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

embedded derivatives)

9

2

15

14

3

43

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

(3)

1

(10)

1

(11)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables/payables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(and related assets/liabilities)

(2)

2

15

5

1

21

 

Operational EBITA

1,108

945

617

681

(217)

3,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

15.2%

16.0%

12.3%

8.8%

n.a.

12.6%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

39      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other and

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

Intersegment

 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

elimination

Consolidated

 

Total revenues

2,596

2,201

1,804

2,533

(410)

8,724

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on derivatives

6

15

(6)

15

30

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

1

(9)

(17)

(1)

(26)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables (and related assets)

(6)

(7)

2

3

1

(7)

 

Operational revenues

2,596

2,210

1,791

2,534

(410)

8,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

392

327

151

201

(163)

908

 

Acquisition-related amortization

24

16

21

8

5

74

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

(2)

2

41

28

23

92

 

Non-operational pension cost

1

2

3

2

(28)

(20)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

1

1

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

6

(1)

19

9

35

68

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(foreign exchange, commodities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

embedded derivatives)

3

10

(2)

14

6

31

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

2

(5)

(19)

(22)

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables/payables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(and related assets/liabilities)

(7)

(2)

(2)

5

(2)

(8)

 

Operational EBITA

417

356

226

248

(123)

1,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

16.1%

16.1%

12.6%

9.8%

n.a.

12.9%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

 

40      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other and

 

 

 

Electrification

Robotics

Industrial

Power

Intersegment

 

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

Products

and Motion

Automation

Grids

elimination

Consolidated

 

Total revenues

2,462

2,007

1,570

2,538

(322)

8,255

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in total revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on derivatives

6

1

7

11

9

34

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

(2)

1

(1)

6

(1)

3

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables (and related assets)

2

2

4

(1)

(1)

6

 

Operational revenues

2,468

2,011

1,580

2,554

(315)

8,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

352

306

178

214

(172)

878

 

Acquisition-related amortization

30

24

3

9

4

70

 

Restructuring and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

restructuring-related expenses(1)

(5)

(6)

7

12

31

39

 

Non-operational pension cost

1

(1)

 

Changes in retained obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

divested businesses

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

17

17

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-operational items

1

4

2

28

35

 

Foreign exchange/commodity timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

differences in income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(foreign exchange, commodities,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

embedded derivatives)

3

1

(1)

5

8

 

Realized gains and losses on derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where the underlying hedged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

transaction has not yet been realized

(1)

1

3

3

 

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on receivables/payables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(and related assets/liabilities)

3

5

3

2

13

 

Operational EBITA

401

330

195

244

(107)

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EBITA margin (%)

16.2%

16.4%

12.3%

9.6%

n.a.

12.8%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

41      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Operational and non-operational pension cost

 

The operational pension cost reflects the ongoing service cost of providing employee benefits to the company’s employees.

 

The non-operational pension cost comprises: (i) interest cost, (ii) expected return on plan assets, (iii) amortization of prior service cost (credit), (iv) amortization of net actuarial loss, and (v) curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits.

 

The operational and non-operational pension costs together comprise the net periodic benefit cost as disclosed in Note 9 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited).

 

Reconciliation

 

Defined pension benefits

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

178

191

56

65

 

Operational pension cost

178

191

56

65

 

Interest cost

193

213

68

71

 

Expected return on plan assets

(311)

(306)

(109)

(102)

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

14

30

(4)

9

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

69

65

25

22

 

Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits

2

2

1

1

 

Non-operational pension cost

(33)

4

(19)

1

 

Net periodic benefit cost

145

195

37

66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other postretirement benefits

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

1

1

1

1

 

Operational pension cost

1

1

1

1

 

Interest cost

3

4

1

1

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

(3)

(8)

(1)

(2)

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

(1)

(1)

 

Non-operational pension cost

(1)

(4)

(1)

(1)

 

Net periodic benefit cost

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operational pension cost

179

192

57

66

 

Total non-operational pension cost

(34)

(20)

42      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Operational EPS

 

Definition

Operational EPS

Operational EPS is calculated as Operational net income divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in determining basic earnings per share.

 

Operational net income

Operational net income is calculated as Net income attributable to ABB adjusted for the following:

(i)        acquisition-related amortization,

(ii)      restructuring and restructuring-related expenses,

(iii)     non-operational pension cost,

(iv)     changes in retained obligations of divested businesses,

(v)       changes in pre-acquisition estimates,

(vi)     gains and losses from sale of businesses,

(vii)    acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items,

(viii)  foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations consisting of: (a) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange, commodities, embedded derivatives), (b) realized gains and losses on derivatives where the underlying hedged transaction has not yet been realized, and (c) unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and related assets/liabilities), and

(ix)     The amount of income tax on operational adjustments either estimated using the Adjusted Group effective tax rate or in certain specific cases, computed using the actual income tax effects of the relevant item in (i) to (vii) above.

 

Acquisition-related amortization

Amortization expense on intangibles arising upon acquisitions.

 

Adjusted Group effective tax rate

The Adjusted Group effective tax rate is computed by dividing an adjusted provision for taxes by an adjusted income from continuing operations before taxes. Certain amounts recorded in income from continuing operations before taxes and the related provision for taxes (primarily gains and losses from sale of businesses) are excluded from the computation.

 

Constant currency Operational EPS adjustment and Operational EPS growth rate (constant currency)

In connection with ABB’s 2015-2020 targets, Operational EPS growth is measured assuming 2014 as the base year and uses constant exchange rates. We compute the constant currency operational net income for all periods using the relevant monthly exchange rates which were in effect during 2014 and any difference in computed Operational net income is divided by the relevant weighted-average number of shares outstanding to identify the constant currency Operational EPS adjustment.

 

Reconciliation

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

($ in millions, except per share data in $)

2017

2016

Growth(3)

 

Net income (attributable to ABB)

1,820

1,474

 

 

Operational adjustments:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition-related amortization

189

212

 

 

Restructuring and restructuring-related expenses(1)

224

475

 

 

Non-operational pension cost

(34)

 

 

Changes in retained obligations of divested businesses

94

 

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

39

 

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

(330)

 

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items

234

46

 

 

FX/commodity timing differences in income from operations

(90)

53

 

 

Tax on operational adjustments(2)

(138)

(227)

 

 

Operational net income

1,969

2,072

-5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions)

2,138

2,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EPS

0.92

0.96

-4%

 

Constant currency Operational EPS adjustment

0.12

0.10

 

 

Operational EPS (constant currency basis - 2014 exchange rates)

1.04

1.06

-2%



 

43      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

($ in millions, except per share data in $)

2017

2016

Growth(3)

 

Net income (attributable to ABB)

571

568

 

 

Operational adjustments:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition-related amortization

74

70

 

 

Restructuring and restructuring-related expenses(1)

92

39

 

 

Non-operational pension cost

(20)

 

 

Changes in retained obligations of divested businesses

 

 

Changes in pre-acquisition estimates

17

 

 

Gains and losses from sale of businesses

1

 

 

Acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items

68

35

 

 

FX/commodity timing differences in income from operations

1

24

 

 

Tax on operational adjustments(2)

(62)

(58)

 

 

Operational net income

725

695

4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in millions)

2,134

2,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational EPS

0.34

0.33

4%

 

Constant currency Operational EPS adjustment

0.03

0.02

 

 

Operational EPS (constant currency basis - 2014 exchange rates)

0.37

0.35

7%

 

(1) Amounts also include the incremental implementation costs in relation to the White Collar Productivity program.

(2) Tax amount is computed by applying the Adjusted Group effective tax rate to the operational adjustments, except for gains and losses from sale of businesses for which the actual provision for taxes resulting from the gain or loss has been computed.

(3) Growth is computed using unrounded EPS amounts.

  



Net debt

 

Definition

Net debt

Net debt is defined as Total debt less Cash and marketable securities.

 

Total debt

Total debt is the sum of Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, and Long-term debt.

 

Cash and marketable securities

Cash and marketable securities is the sum of Cash and equivalents, and Marketable securities and short-term investments.

 

Reconciliation

 

($ in millions)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

831

1,003

 

Long-term debt

7,061

5,800

 

Total debt

7,892

6,803

 

Cash and equivalents

3,649

3,644

 

Marketable securities and short-term investments

998

1,953

 

Cash and marketable securities

4,647

5,597

 

Net debt

3,245

1,206

44      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Net working capital as a percentage of revenues

 

Definition

Net working capital as a percentage of revenues

Net working capital as a percentage of revenues is calculated as Net working capital divided by Adjusted revenues for the trailing twelve months.

 

Net working capital

Net working capital is the sum of (i) receivables, net, (ii) inventories, net, and (iii) prepaid expenses; less (iv) accounts payable, trade, (v) billings in excess of sales, (vi) advances from customers, and (vii) other current liabilities (excluding primarily: (a) income taxes payable, (b) current derivative liabilities, (c) pension and other employee benefits, and (d) payables under the share buyback program); and including the amounts related to these accounts which have been presented as either assets or liabilities held for sale.

 

Adjusted revenues for the trailing twelve months

Adjusted revenues for the trailing twelve months includes total revenues recorded by ABB in the twelve months preceding the relevant balance sheet date adjusted to eliminate revenues of divested businesses and the estimated impact of annualizing revenues of certain acquisitions which were completed in the same trailing twelve-month period.

 

Reconciliation

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016

 

Net working capital:

 

 

 

Receivables, net

10,738

10,155

 

Inventories, net

5,306

5,017

 

Prepaid expenses

276

242

 

Accounts payable, trade

(5,081)

(4,458)

 

Billings in excess of sales

(1,309)

(1,330)

 

Advances from customers

(1,428)

(1,591)

 

Other current liabilities(1)

(3,545)

(3,153)

 

Net working capital in assets and liabilities held for sale

(46)

 

Net working capital

4,957

4,836

 

Total revenues for the three months ended:

 

 

 

September 30, 2017 / 2016

8,724

8,255

 

June 30, 2017 / 2016

8,454

8,677

 

March 31, 2017 / 2016

7,854

7,903

 

December 31, 2016 / 2015

8,993

9,242

 

Adjustment to annualize/eliminate revenues of certain acquisitions/divestments

366

 

Adjusted revenues for the trailing twelve months

34,391

34,077

 

Net working capital as a percentage of revenues (%)

14.4%

14.2%

 

(1)  Amounts exclude $622 million and $744 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related primarily to (a) income taxes payable, (b) current derivative liabilities, and (c) pension and other employee benefits.

45      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Free cash flow conversion to net income

 

Definition

Free cash flow conversion to net income

Free cash flow conversion to net income is calculated as Free cash flow divided by Net income attributable to ABB.

 

Free cash flow (FCF)

Free cash flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for: (i) purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, (ii) proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment, and (iii) changes in financing and other non-current receivables, net (included in other investing activities).

 

Free cash flow for the trailing twelve months

Free cash flow for the trailing twelve months includes free cash flow recorded by ABB in the twelve months preceding the relevant balance sheet date.

 

Net income for the trailing twelve months

Net income for the trailing twelve months includes net income recorded by ABB in the twelve months preceding the relevant balance sheet date.

 

Free cash flow conversion to net income

 

 

Twelve months to

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

3,358

3,843

 

Adjusted for the effects of:

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

(919)

(831)

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

59

61

 

Changes in financing receivables and other non-current receivables

3

(8)

 

Free cash flow

2,501

3,065

 

Net income attributable to ABB

2,245

1,899

 

Free cash flow conversion to net income

111%

161%



Reconciliation of the trailing twelve months to September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Purchases of

 

Changes in

 

 

 

Net cash

property, plant

Proceeds

financing

 

 

 

provided by

and equipment

from sale of

receivables and

Net income

 

 

 operating 

and intangible

property, plant

other non-current

attributable

 

($ in millions)

 activities 

 assets 

and equipment

receivables

to ABB

 

Q4 2016

1,428

(299)

9

(4)

425

 

Q1 2017

509

(192)

20

8

724

 

Q2 2017

467

(225)

10

(1)

525

 

Q3 2017

954

(203)

20

571

 

Total for the trailing twelve months

to September 30, 2017

3,358

(919)

59

3

2,245

46      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

Finance net

 

Definition

Finance net is calculated as Interest and dividend income less Interest and other finance expense.

 

Reconciliation

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Interest and dividend income

55

54

20

16

 

Interest and other finance expense

(227)

(230)

(74)

(84)

 

Finance net

(172)

(176)

(54)

(68)



Book-to-bill ratio

 

Definition

Book-to-bill ratio is calculated as Orders received divided by Total revenues.

 

Reconciliation

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

Three months ended September 30,

 

($ in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

2017

2016

2017

2016

 

Orders received

24,909

25,102

8,157

7,533

 

Total revenues

25,032

24,835

8,724

8,255

 

Book-to-bill ratio

1.00

1.01

0.94

0.91

47      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABB  Ltd

Corporate Communications

P.O.  Box  8131

8050 Zurich 

Switzerland

Tel:        +41  (0)43  317  71  11

Fax:        +41  (0)43  317  79  58

 

www.abb.com        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

48      Q3 2017 Financial Information 


 

July — September 2017 — Q3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABB Ltd announces that the following members of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors of ABB have purchased, sold or been granted ABB’s registered shares, call options and warrant appreciation rights (“WARs”), in the following amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Date

 

Description

 

Received *

 

Purchased

 

Sold

 

Price

Greg Scheu

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

18,311

 

 

 

 

 

USD

22.95

Chunyuan Gu

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

12,798

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Tarak Mehta

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

24,273

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Frank Duggan

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

27,548

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Claudio Facchin

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

21,758

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Peter Terwiesch

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

16,457

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Diane de Saint Victor

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

25,158

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Jean-Christophe Deslarzes

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

21,384

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

Ulrich Spiesshofer

 

August 14, 2017

 

Shares

 

65,692

 

 

 

 

 

CHF

22.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Received instruments were delivered as part of the ABB Ltd Director’s or Executive Committee Member’s compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

ABB LTD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: October 26, 2017.

By:

/s/ Alanna Abrahamson - Haka

 

 

Name:

Alanna Abrahamson - Haka

 

 

Title:

Group Senior Vice President and
Head of Investor Relations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: October 26, 2017.

By:

/s/ Richard A. Brown

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Brown

 

 

Title:

Group Senior Vice President and
Chief Counsel Corporate & Finance