Market Chatter: China Said to Reject SoftBank's Planned Acquisition of ABB Robotics

11:50 PM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- China informed Japan's SoftBank Group that it will block the proposed acquisition of ABB's (ABBN.SW, ABB.ST) robotics division, ABB Robotics, following an investment security review, London's Financial Times reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. China's National Development and Reform Commission reportedly raised concerns over the transfer of robotics data overseas as it could be used to train artificial intelligence models. The regulator also scrutinized ABB's local supply chains and sought assurances that some of the robotics unit's manufacturing capabilities, along with certain business-related intellectual property, would remain in China. SoftBank is assessing the reasons for the decision and whether it can seek approval again, according to the report. China is ABB Robotics' biggest market, the newspaper noted. SoftBank and ABB did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)