Analysis Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events ABB Ltd, the sprawling Swiss industrial giant, is lopping off its biggest limb to try to help simplify its conglomerate structure. CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer had previously resisted demands from the activist investor Cevian Capital to separate its power grids unit, which contributes a quarter of ABB’s sales but comparatively little profit.