ABB seeks to raise stake in Indian subsidiary

ABB wants to raise its stake in its Indian subsidiary in a deal worth up to $965 million, the Swiss engineering group said, in a move that would strengthen its position in the fast-growing Indian market.

ABB wants to raise its stake in its Indian subsidiary in a deal worth up to $965 million, the Swiss engineering group said, in a move that would strengthen its position in the fast-growing Indian market.

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The seller of power equipment to utilities and oil and gas companies said it wanted to raise its stake to 75 percent from 52 percent and offered shareholders 900 rupees ($31.84) per share -- a premium of around 34 percent over Friday's closing price.

Cash-rich ABB tapped its war chest earlier this month to buy US software company Ventyx for over $1 billion, its first billion-dollar deal in more than 10 years and the first major buy under Chief Executive Joe Hogan.

Analysts have been watching the company closely over recent years to see how it will deploy its cash. At the end of the first quarter it had a cash pile of $7.1 billion.

ABB Limited India, had revenue of $1.4 billion and profit before tax of $117 million in 2009 and employs approximately 6,200 people, ABB said.

The shares are traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.