SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

                    Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                              Date: April 24, 2001

                                     ABB Ltd
               ---------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                                       N/A
                                       ---
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                                   Switzerland
                                   -----------
                         (Jurisdiction of organization)

        P.O. Box 8131, Affolternstrasse 44, CH-8050, Zurich, Swizterland
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

        Registrant's telephone number, international: + 011-41-1-317-1111
                                                        -----------------


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

                           Form 20-F   X             Form 40-F   __

         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   X

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


<PAGE>


This Form 6-K consists of the following:

1.   Press  release of ABB Ltd,  dated April 24, 2001, in respect of the results
     of ABB Ltd for the first quarter ended March 31, 2001.


<PAGE>


Press Release


ABB Media Relations                             ABB Investor Relations
Thomas Schmidt                                  Switzerland: Tel. +41 1 317 7266
Tel:  +41 1 317 7354                            Sweden: Tel. +46 21 32 5928
Fax: +41 1 317 7958                             USA: Tel. +1 203 750 7743


For your business and technology editors

ABB reports higher Q1 revenues, earnings

o    Revenues  up 2  percent  (8  percent  in local  currencies)  despite  mixed
     business conditions

o    Earnings up 6 percent (13 percent in local currencies), EBIT margin up

o    Group transformation on target

Zurich, Switzerland,  April 24, 2001 - ABB said today that revenues and earnings
rose in the first quarter of 2001, despite mixed current business conditions and
a  further  strengthening  of the U.S.  dollar.  ABB also  achieved  key  growth
strategy  milestones,   building  up  its   customer-centric   organization  and
strengthening its Industrial IT capability.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
US$ in millions, except per share data              1Q 2001     1Q 2000      Change(1)
                                                    -------     -------      ---------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>           <C>

Orders                                                6,786       7,141         - 5%

Revenues                                              5,380       5,259           2%

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)               334         315           6%

Income from continuing operations                       201         206         - 2%

Net income                                              138          55         151%

Basic and diluted earnings per share (US$) from
    -  Income from continuing operations               0.68        0.70
    -  Net income                                      0.47        0.19

EBITDA                                                  524         514
_____________

(1)  In local  currencies,  orders are unchanged,  revenues rose 8%, EBIT was up
     13%, and income from continuing operations rose 5%.
</TABLE>

Orders  decreased 5 percent to US$ 6,786  million,  and were  unchanged in local
currencies,  as the Power Distribution and Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals  segments
could not repeat their very strong  order  performance  of the first  quarter of
2000.  Compared to the fourth  quarter of 2000,  total  Group  orders were up 14
percent in U.S. dollars.

Revenues  grew by 2  percent  to US$  5,380  million.  When  expressed  in local
currencies,  revenues  increased by 8 percent.  Higher  revenues in Oil, Gas and
Petrochemicals  more  than  offset  decreases  in Power  Distribution  and Power
Transmission.

Earnings  before  interest  and taxes  (EBIT)  rose 6 percent to US$ 334 million
compared to the first  quarter of 2000,  and 13 percent when  expressed in local
currencies.  This  includes  other income from equity  accounted  companies  and
licenses,  a capital gain of US$ 2 million and a  restructuring  charge of US$ 6
million.  EBIT margin  increased  from 6 percent to 6.2 percent over the period,
driven in large part by continued  synergy gains from the  integration  of Elsag
Bailey.

"I'm  encouraged  that we  continue to improve our  performance,  especially  as
demand  has been mixed and we are  implementing  a major  transformation  of the
company," said ABB president and CEO Jorgen Centerman.

Income  from  continuing  operations  was down 2 percent - up 5 percent in local
currencies - as interest  expense  increased due to somewhat  higher debt levels
throughout the last year.

Net  income  more  than  doubled  to  US$138  million.  However,  most  of  this
improvement came from the reduced impact of discontinued operations.

ABB's net cash provided by operating  activities reversed from a positive US$ 23
million last year (first time ever that  operating cash flow was positive in the
first  quarter) to a negative US$ 217 million.  This was primarily due to higher
working capital,  driven by an increased level of large order execution compared
to last year, and more active trading by Financial Services, with a net increase
in marketable securities.

As of March 31, 2001, ABB employed 161,374 people compared to 160,818 at yearend
2000.

Outlook(1)

The outlook for the full year 2001 remains  unchanged:  Revenues are expected to
increase in comparison to 2000, and EBIT, income from continuing  operations and
cash flow from  operating  activities  are expected to be well above last year's
levels, assuming current mixed business conditions continue.

For the first six months of 2001,  EBIT growth is expected to lag revenue growth
due to the high level of  one-time  items in the first half of 2000.  The second
half of 2001 is expected to see higher comparative earnings growth.

Mid-term targets remain unchanged.

-----------------------------------------
(1)  Assumes no major  currency  effects

Highlights of the first quarter 2001

o  ABB  launched a bid to acquire  Entrelec  of France,  a leading  supplier  of
   industrial  automation and control  equipment,  and bought Eutech Engineering
   Solutions  Ltd., a British  consulting  group  specializing in the chemicals,
   petrochemicals and pharmaceutical industries.

o  ABB won orders  with a total  value well above US$ 400 million for subsea oil
   production  systems,  and orders  worth almost US$ 100 million to improve the
   power network in London, England.

o  A new  generator,  Powerformer  Light,  was launched for use in gas and steam
   turbine power plants. It can be connected  directly to the high-voltage grid,
   thus  eliminating  the need for any  step-up  transformer.  The  product  was
   developed  in  parallel  with the  world's  first  ultra-high-voltage  motor,
   MotorformerTM, also connectable directly to the grid.

o  ABB's Industrial IT solutions portfolio recently received the Editor's Choice
   Award from Control  Engineering  magazine,  identifying it as one of the most
   innovative   products  of  2000.   Industrial   IT-enabled  products  aim  to
   significantly boost customer productivity by integrating information from all
   of a  company's  processes  into a single  real-time  information  management
   system.

o  On April 6, ABB  listed  American  Depositary  Shares  on the New York  Stock
   Exchange.  The move aims to broaden  the  company's  shareholder  base in the
   United States.

o  In late  March,  ABB  launched a program to buy back six  million  shares for
   cancellation, corresponding to about two percent of the company's total share
   capital. The buy-back plan is designed to create more value for shareholders.

o  Shareholders  at ABB's Annual General Meeting in Zurich and Vasteras in March
   approved a 4-to-1 share split aimed at improving  the liquidity of the share.
   The split is planned to take effect on May 7, 2001.

Accounting change:  FAS 133

Recently,  the  Financial   Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB)(2) changed  the
accounting rules for all companies reporting under US GAAP regarding  derivative
instruments and hedging  activities  (FAS 133),  which ABB was required to adopt
effective  January  1,  2001.  As  communicated  earlier,  ABB had to  record  a
one-time,  non-cash charge. The income statement was negatively  affected by US$
63 million,  recorded below income from  continuing  operations,  and equity was
reduced by US$ 41 million under the heading "other comprehensive income."

-----------------------------------------
(2)  FASB is the key body governing US GAAP standards and accounting.

Transformation update

The transformation of ABB into a customer-centric  organization,  which began in
mid-January  2001,  is proceeding  according to plan and the new  organizational
structure  is expected  to be in place in most  markets by  mid-year  2001.  The
realignment   began  in  19  countries   where  ABB's   presence  is  strongest,
representing about 80 percent of global revenues.

ABB said it will  begin to report its  financial  results  according  to its new
organizational  structure  by the third  quarter of this year.  The company also
plans to report  quarterly on the progress of its  transformation.  Measurements
are  being  defined  which  will  track   important   parameters  like  customer
penetration, key customer accounts and certification of Industrial IT products.

The transformation is based on the creation of six new customer-based  divisions
serving utilities,  process industries,  manufacturing and consumer  industries,
the oil, gas and petrochemicals sectors, and external channel partners for power
as well as for automation  technology products.  The previous Financial Services
segment remains unchanged.  A Group Processes division provides and supports the
implementation  of efficient  best-practice  business tools and processes across
all divisions, while the Transformation team drives the change process, allowing
front-line  people  to focus on  serving  the  needs of  customers  rather  than
managing the transformation.

Industrial IT expansion continues

The company won a number of orders for Industrial  IT-based systems in the first
quarter. For example, Visy Industries of Australia ordered Industrial IT systems
- including  manufacturing execution and supply chain management solutions - for
its five pulp and paper mills in Australia and two mills in the United States.

ABB also  expanded  its product  capabilities  and  geographic  scope to support
growth in its  Industrial IT  offerings.  The  acquisition  of Eutech brings ABB
expert knowledge of the chemical,  petrochemical and pharmaceutical  industries.
The planned  acquisition of Entrelec would add considerable  industry expertise,
advanced  technology and improved coverage in key European and American markets.
Together,  they allow ABB to deliver a wider range of Industrial IT offerings to
more customers.

Regional market review

Demand for ABB's  products  and  services  in the first  quarter of 2001  varied
widely by country and business  compared to last year. For the European  markets
as a whole,  orders were 3 percent higher in nominal terms (+10 percent in local
currencies) and revenues were up 1 percent (+8 percent). In the Americas, demand
was  mixed,  with order  intake  down 7 percent  nominally  (-4  percent)  while
revenues  rose 5 percent (+7  percent).  In Asia,  orders grew by 6 percent (+14
percent),  reflecting  stronger economies in certain  countries,  while revenues
were down 7 percent (unchanged).  Orders from the Middle East and Africa were 38
percent lower (-32 percent)  compared to an unusually high volume of large order
bookings in the Oil, Gas and  Petrochemicals  segment last year. As these flowed
through  to  revenues  this year,  ABB saw a  first-quarter  14-percent  revenue
increase in the region.

Segment review

The ABB  Group's  reporting  currency is the U.S.  dollar,  which  continued  to
strengthen   against  most  of  ABB's  local  currencies.   The  impact  of  the
strengthened dollar, noted in earlier quarters,  continued to unfavorably impact
results during the first quarter. All figures reflect first quarter activity.

Automation
                                           2001       2000     Nominal   Local
                                           ----       ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Orders                                    2,148      2,134        + 1%    + 7%
Revenues                                  1,765      1,742        + 1%    + 7%
EBIT                                        113         95       + 19%   + 25%
EBIT Margin                                6.4%       5.5%

Demand in process  automation  markets was flat,  offset by growth in substation
automation.  In the automotive market,  conditions remained  difficult.  Against
this backdrop,  total orders increased only slightly in nominal terms,  although
some business areas showed double-digit growth offsetting downturns in others.

Total revenues were  similarly  flat,  although  again on mixed markets.  Strong
revenue  growth was  recorded  in Drives and  Flexible  Automation,  while other
businesses were flat or negative.

EBIT improved by 19 percent.  Productivity gains from the successful integration
of Elsag Bailey  contributed to significant  earnings growth in  Instrumentation
and Control systems,  along with Pulp,  Paper,  Metals,  Minerals and Utilities.
Earnings growth was also supported by Drives and Electrical Machines.

Power Transmission


                                           2001       2000     Nominal   Local
                                           ----       ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Orders                                     1,132     1,013      + 12%    + 18%
Revenues                                     699       751       - 7%     - 1%
EBIT                                          60        55       + 9%    + 13%
EBIT Margin                                 8.6%      7.3%

Driven by concerns  about the  adequacy of energy  supply,  demand  continued to
strengthen in North America, with Europe and Asia Pacific activity also up. As a
result, first quarter orders grew strongly by 12 percent.

Revenues were down from last year,  reflecting  both a lower order intake in the
second half of 2000, as well as the  comparison  with high revenues in the first
quarter of last year. EBIT improved,  leading to a margin of 8.6 percent for the
quarter.


Power Distribution

                                           2001       2000     Nominal   Local
                                           ----       ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Orders                                      703        922       - 24%   - 20%
Revenues                                    605        650        - 7%    - 2%
EBIT                                         30         35       - 14%   - 16%
EBIT Margin                                5.0%       5.4%

Regional demand  presented a mixed picture in the first quarter,  with increased
investment from Latin America,  continued  activity in Europe, and a slowdown in
North  America.  Orders  across  all  business  areas  were 24  percent  down in
comparison to the first quarter of 2000.

First  quarter  revenues  were also down,  as volume  increases in  Distribution
Transformers and Medium-Voltage  Equipment did not make up for the drop in Power
Distribution Solutions.  Similarly, earnings were below last year's level due to
higher base commodity prices and lower volume.


Building Technologies

                                            2001      2000     Nominal   Local
                                            ----      ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Orders                                     1,734     1,824        - 5%    + 3%
Revenues                                   1,413     1,390        + 2%    + 9%
EBIT                                          90        95        - 5%    + 1%
EBIT Margin                                 6.4%      6.8%

Market  demand  showed  signs of slowing on fears of a downturn in the  business
cycle.  Orders were down in nominal  terms,  although  as always this  segment's
largely  European  business was especially  affected by the strength of the U.S.
dollar.  All business areas reported modest order increases  except for Building
Systems, which had a particularly large order booked in first quarter 2000.

Revenues  increased  slightly in nominal  terms,  with all business areas except
Service  (which  divested its U.S.  workshops in 2000)  contributing  to growth.
Earnings  were down in nominal  terms,  but  improved  when  expressed  in local
currencies.  All  businesses  showed  earnings  growth  except  Service  and Air
Handling Equipment.



<PAGE>


Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

                                            2001      2000     Nominal   Local
                                            ----      ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Orders                                       961     1,117       - 14%   - 12%
Revenues                                     754       529       + 43%   + 49%
EBIT                                          41        30       + 37%   + 43%
EBIT Margin                                 5.4%      5.7%

Oil prices  remained firm during the first  quarter,  although the average price
was  lower  than the 2000  average.  There  was good  activity  in the  upstream
business,  with a large number of deep water  prospects under  development,  and
particularly  strong  demand from West Africa,  the Gulf of Mexico,  and Brazil.
Downstream  markets were also active,  but more cautious given uncertainty about
global  economic  trends  and  their  potential  impact on  downstream  industry
financial performance.

Orders declined in comparison with the high order intake in the first quarter of
2000. Upstream orders increased  significantly on strong demand, but were offset
by the downstream business.  In contrast,  revenues were substantially up across
both the downstream and upstream businesses, reflecting the higher order backlog
at the end of last year.

Earnings also  increased  significantly  on strong  revenue  growth,  while EBIT
margin  was  slightly  down.  This was  largely  due to lower  margins  on large
downstream  engineering,  procurement  and  contracting  (EPC)  projects,  which
typically contain non-ABB products.


Financial Services

                                            2001      2000     Nominal   Local
                                            ----      ----     -------   -----
US$ in millions, except where indicated

Revenues                                     479       453        + 6%   + 10%
EBIT                                          84        84          0%    + 7%

Interest rates and currency  markets were volatile and credit spreads widened in
the first quarter of 2001,  reflecting  widespread concern about borrower credit
quality. These market developments  presented  opportunities for ABB's Financial
Services,  which were reflected in higher revenues and earnings.  In particular,
Structured  Finance and Equity Ventures reported strong earnings growth on their
loan, leasing and investment portfolios.



<PAGE>


Reporting dates

The remaining  quarterly  reporting  dates in 2001 for ABB Ltd are scheduled for
July 24 and October 24.

The company  will host a conference  call for analysts and  investors to discuss
its first quarter results today at 16:00 Central  European time.  Teleconference
callers  should  dial +41 91 610 4111 in  Europe  and (412) 858 4600 in the U.S.
This facility is also available to the media on a "listen only" basis.



      This  press  release   includes   forward-looking   information   and
      statements  that are  subject to risks and  uncertainties  that could
      cause actual results to differ. These statements are based on current
      expectations,   estimates  and  projections   about  global  economic
      conditions,  the economic  conditions  of the regions and  industries
      that are major  markets for ABB Ltd and ABB Ltd's lines of  business.
      These   expectations,   estimates  and   projections   are  generally
      identifiable  by  statements  containing  words  such  as  "expects",
      "believes",  "estimates" or similar  expressions.  Important  factors
      that  could  cause  actual  results to differ  materially  from those
      expectations include, among others, economic and market conditions in
      the geographic  areas and industries that are major markets for ABB's
      businesses,  market acceptance of new products and services,  changes
      in governmental regulations, interest rates, fluctuations in currency
      exchange  rates and such other factors as may be discussed  from time
      to time in  ABB's  filings  with  the U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
      Commission. 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.


(End)


<PAGE>


                                  ABB Ltd

                         Consolidated Income Statements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Three months ended March 31 (Unaudited)

                                                                            ---------------------------------------
                                                                                     2001                 2000

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

<S>                                                                                 <C>                 <C>
Revenues.................................................................           $   5,380           $   5,259
Cost of sales............................................................              (3,982)             (3,859)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Gross profit.............................................................               1,398               1,400
Selling, general and administrative expenses.............................              (1,054)             (1,065)
Amortization expense.....................................................                 (58)                (55)
Other income (expense), net..............................................                  48                  35
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Earnings before interest and taxes.......................................                 334                 315
Interest and dividend income.............................................                 142                 139
Interest expense.........................................................                (180)               (154)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Income from continuing operations before taxes and minority interest.....                 296                 300
Provision for taxes......................................................                 (87)                (89)
Minority interest........................................................                  (8)                 (5)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Income from continuing operations........................................                 201                 206
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax...................                  --                (151)
Change in accounting principles (introduction of FAS 133)................                 (63)                 --
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Net income...............................................................           $     138           $      55
                                                                                    =========           =========

Weighted average shares outstanding......................................                 293                 295
Dilutive potential shares................................................                   2                   1
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding..............................                 295                 296
                                                                                    =========           =========
Basic earnings per share:
    Income from continuing operations....................................           $    0.68           $    0.70
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations...........................                  --               (0.51)
    Change in accounting principles......................................               (0.21)                 --
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
    Net income...........................................................           $    0.47           $    0.19
                                                                                    =========           =========

Diluted earnings per share:
    Income from continuing operations....................................           $    0.68           $    0.70
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations...........................                  --               (0.51)
    Change in accounting principles......................................               (0.21)                 --
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
    Net income...........................................................           $    0.47           $    0.19
                                                                                    =========           =========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                                      ABB Ltd

                                            Consolidated Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                 At March 31,      At December 31,
                                                                                     2001                2000

                                                                                -----------------------------------
                                                                                          (Unaudited)
                                                                                (in millions, except share data)

<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>
Cash and equivalents.....................................................        $   1,860           $   1,397
Marketable securities....................................................            3,781               4,209
Receivables, net.........................................................            8,356               8,328
Inventories, net.........................................................            3,485               3,192
Prepaid expenses and other...............................................            2,674               1,585
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Total current assets.....................................................           20,156              18,711
Financing receivables....................................................            4,088               3,875
Property, plant and equipment, net.......................................            3,045               3,243
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net................................            3,153               3,155
Investments and other....................................................            1,942               1,978
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Total assets.............................................................        $  32,384           $  30,962
                                                                                 =========           =========

Accounts payable, trade..................................................        $   3,456           $   3,375
Accounts payable, other..................................................            2,493               2,363
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term borrowings.....            5,500               3,587
Accrued liabilities and other............................................            6,960               6,127
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Total current liabilities................................................           18,409              15,452
Long-term borrowings.....................................................            3,985               3,776
Pension and other related benefits.......................................            1,688               1,790
Deferred taxes...........................................................            1,364               1,528
Other liabilities........................................................            2,743               2,924
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Total liabilities........................................................           28,189              25,470

Minority interest........................................................              292                 321
Total stockholders' equity...............................................            3,903               5,171
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...............................        $  32,384           $  30,962
                                                                                 =========           =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                                      ABB Ltd

                                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Three months ended March 31
                                                                                           (Unaudited)

                                                                                -----------------------------------
                                                                                    2001                 2000

                                                                                -----------------------------------
                                                                                          (in millions)

<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>
Operating Activities
Income from continuing operations........................................        $     201           $     206
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization........................................              190                 199
    Restructuring charges................................................               (8)                 10
    Pension and post-retirement benefits.................................                1                  (4)
    Deferred taxes.......................................................               26                  12
    Net gain from sale of  property, plant and equipment.................               (2)                (25)
    Other................................................................              (61)                (31)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities
           Marketable securities - trading...............................              (36)                 57
           Other assets - liabilities....................................             (528)               (401)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

Net cash provided by operating activities................................             (217)                 23
                                                                                 =========           =========

Investing Activities
Changes in financing receivables.........................................             (540)                 10
Purchases of marketable securities (other than trading)..................             (890)               (899)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment...............................             (189)               (120)
Acquisitions of businesses (net of cash acquired)........................              (19)                (45)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
    (other than trading).................................................            1,022                 618
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment.....................               23                  13
Proceeds from sales of businesses (net of cash disposed).................                8                  78
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Net cash used in investing activities....................................             (585)               (345)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Financing Activities
Changes in borrowings ...................................................            2,476               1,230
Treasury and capital stock transactions..................................             (579)                 --
Dividends paid...........................................................             (502)               (531)
Other....................................................................              (24)                (15)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities......................            1,371                 684
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Net cash provided by discontinued operations.............................              (62)                 --
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents.................              (44)                (43)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Net change in cash and equivalents.......................................              463                 319
Cash and equivalents-beginning of year...................................            1,397               1,615
                                                                                 ---------           ---------
Cash and equivalents-end of period.......................................        $   1,860          $    1,934
                                                                                 =========           =========
Interest paid............................................................        $     177          $      157
Taxes paid...............................................................              122                  95

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                  ABB Ltd


       ABB Ltd notes to consolidated financial statements (Unaudited)
               (Dollars in millions except per share amounts)


Note 1  The Company

ABB Ltd is a global  technology  company  organized in five industrial  business
segments  and a financial  services  segment,  with each segment  having  global
responsibility  for its business  strategies and its  manufacturing  and product
development activities, as applicable.

Development in the three months ended March 31st, 2001:


o  Share split

   At our  annual  general  meeting  held on March 20,  2001,  our  shareholders
   approved a four-for-one share split to reduce the nominal value of our shares
   from CHF 10 each to CHF 2.50  each.  The share  split will  become  effective
   shortly after the  effectiveness of a change to the Swiss Code of Obligations
   allowing  such a share split.  We expect that the change in law will occur on
   May 1, 2001.

o  Share repurchase

   At our  annual  general  meeting  held on March  20,  2001  our  shareholders
   approved a share repurchase of 6,000,000 shares  (24,000,000 shares after the
   share split has been  implemented),  which corresponds to approximately 2% of
   our nominal share capital.  We intend to propose to our  shareholders at next
   year's  annual  general  meeting a reduction of our nominal share capital for
   the purpose of  canceling  such shares.  By March 31, 2001 we have  purchased
   637,000 out of the  6,000,000  shares using our newly opened  second  trading
   line.

   Additionally,  between  January 1, 2001 and March 31,  2001,  we  purchased a
   total of  approximately  6,769,000  shares in open markets  purchases that we
   hold as treasury shares. We may make additional purchases of shares from time
   to time in the future, e.g. to hedge employee option programs.

o  Listing New York

   On April 6, 2001 we listed our American  Depositary  Shares (ADSs) on the New
   York Stock Exchange. Simultaneously, we have launched an exchange offer aimed
   at giving holders of restricted  ADSs the  opportunity to exchange to our new
   ADSs that are eligible for trading on the New York Stock  Exchange.  Four new
   ADSs will  represent  one  registered  share.  Once the share  split  becomes
   effective, each new ADS will represent one ABB share. Our new ADSs are traded
   under the symbol "ABB".


Note 2  Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of United States
(U.S.)  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and are  presented  in U.S.
dollars ($) unless otherwise  stated.  Par value of capital stock is denominated
in Swiss francs (CHF). The financial  information as of March 31, 2001 should be
read in conjunction with the December 31, 2000 financial statements contained in
our registration statement on form 20-F and the Annual Report.


Introduction on FAS 133

In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued  Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging Activities, which is required to be adopted in years beginning after
June 15,  2000.  The  Company has  adopted  the new  Statement  with effect from
January 1, 2001. The Statement  requires us to recognize all  derivatives on the
balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to
fair value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature
of the hedge,  changes in the fair value of  derivatives  will  either be offset
against  the  change in fair value of the hedged  assets,  liabilities,  or firm
commitments through earnings or recognized in other  comprehensive  income until
the hedged item is  recognized in earnings.  Based on the  Company's  derivative
positions at December 31,  2000,  the Company has upon  adoption at January 1st,
2001 recorded a loss from the cumulative  effect of an accounting  change of $63
million in the  consolidated  income statement and a reduction of $41 million in
other comprehensive income.


<PAGE>


                                     ABB Ltd


Note 3  Statement of Consolidated Common Stockholders' Equity
(Dollars in millions)

Balance at January 1, 2001................................           $    5,171
Comprehensive income:
Net income................................................  138
Foreign currency translation adjustments.................. (111)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities..........  (51)
Change in accounting principles (FAS 133)
  as per January 1, 2001................                    (41)
FAS 133 effect on Q1 2001................................. (122)
                                                           ----
Total comprehensive income................................ (187)           (187)
Dividends paid............................................                 (502)
Treasury stock transactions...............................                 (579)
                                                                     ----------
Balance at March 31, 2001.................................           $    3,903
                                                                     ==========


Note 4  Segment and Geographic Data

For all periods presented, the Company was organized into the following business
segments:

Automation: Offers products, solutions and services focused on improving quality
and  efficiency  as well as reducing  environmental  impacts in  industrial  and
utility plants. The Company provides knowledge-based,  value-added solutions for
the automation needs of customers in these industries.

Power Transmission:  Provides electrical power transmission products,  solutions
and services.  The Company's customers are mainly electrical  utilities,  owners
and  operators of power  transmission  systems and energy  traders,  who deliver
high-voltage   electricity  from  power  plants  to  the  distribution  networks
providing electrical power to end users.

Power  Distribution:  Provides  a broad  offering  of  products,  solutions  and
services,  including  transformers,  substations and circuit breakers,  to power
network  management  services,  for the  distribution  of  electricity  from the
transmission  grid to the end consumer.  The Company's  principal  customers are
utilities  that  own or  operate  networks,  commercial  institutions,  such  as
airports, hospitals and supermarkets and industrial customers, such as chemical,
automotive and pulp and paper companies.

Building  Technologies:  Provides a wide  range of  products  and  comprehensive
service  and  maintenance  solutions  for  industrial,   commercial  and  public
facilities,  including  low-voltage  products,  such  as  switches,  fuses,  air
handling and  lighting  systems,  as well as  programmable  facility  management
systems that can automatically operate building systems.

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals:  Provides technologies to customers in the upstream
exploration  and  production  of  oil  and  gas,  and  downstream  refining  and
petrochemical processing.

Financial  Services:  Offers a wide  range of  financing,  sales  support,  risk
management services and insurance both within the Company and to third-parties.

The Company  evaluates  performance  based on earnings before interest and taxes
(EBIT), which excludes interest income and expense,  taxes,  minority interests,
the results from discontinued operations and other items.


<PAGE>


                                     ABB Ltd
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Segment data

Data per Business Segment                        Orders received                              Revenues
(US$ in millions)
                                                 January - March                          January - March
                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2001                 2000                2001                 2000
                                             ----------           ----------           ----------          ----------
<S>                                          <C>                  <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Automation......................             $   2,148            $   2,134            $   1,765           $   1,742
Power Transmission..............                 1,132                1,013                  699                 751
Power Distribution..............                   703                  922                  605                 650
Building Technologies...........                 1,734                1,824                1,413               1,390
Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals.....                   961                1,117                  754                 529
Financial Services..............                   479                  453                  479                 453
Corporate/Other.................                  (371)                (322)                (335)               (256)
                                             ---------            ---------            ---------           ---------
Total                                        $   6,786            $   7,141            $   5,380           $   5,259
                                             =========            =========            =========           =========

Data per Business Segment                    EBIT (operating income)               Depreciation and amortization
(US$ in millions)
                                                 January - March                          January - March
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2001                 2000                2001                 2000
                                             ----------           ----------           ----------          ---------

Automation......................             $     113            $      95            $      71           $      69
Power Transmission..............                    60                   55                   23                  24
Power Distribution..............                    30                   35                   15                  16
Building Technologies...........                    90                   95                   29                  33
Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals.....                    41                   30                   17                  15
Financial Services..............                    84                   84                    6                   7
Corporate/Other.................                   (84)                 (79)                  29                  35
                                             ---------            ---------            ---------           ---------
Total...........................             $     334            $     315            $     190           $     199
                                             =========            =========            =========           =========
Geographic Information

Data per Region                                  Orders received                              Revenues
(US$ in millions)
                                                 January - March                          January - March
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2001                 2000                2001                 2000
                                             ----------           ----------           ----------          ---------

Europe..........................             $   3,699            $   3,598            $   2,940           $   2,904
The Americas....................                 1,828                1,966                1,400               1,329
Asia............................                   685                  646                  564                 608
Middle East and Africa..........                   574                  931                  476                 418
                                             ---------            ---------            ---------           ---------
Total...........................             $   6,786            $   7,141            $   5,380           $   5,259
                                             =========            =========            =========           =========
</TABLE>

Orders received and revenues have been reflected in the regions based on the
location of the customer.


<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE


     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:    April 24, 2001           By:/s/Renato Fassbind
                                     ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Renato Fassbind
                                     Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer


                                  By:/s/Hans Enhorning
                                     ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Hans Enhorning
                                     Title: Vice President and Assistant General
                                            Counsel