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

                          For the month of: April 2002

                                     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, Switzerland
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

        Registrant's telephone number, international:+ 011-41-1-317-7111
                                                     -------------------




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-________








This Form 6-K consists of the following:

1. Press  release of ABB Ltd,  dated April 24, 2002, in respect of its financial
results for the first quarter of its 2002 fiscal year.










                                      -2-





Press Release

For your business and technology editors


ABB's operational and financial restructuring on track

Four divisions report order increases over Q4 2001

o     Net income US$ 114 million in Q1

o     EBIT margin in line with outlook of 4-5 percent

o    Operational cash flow seasonally negative, but stronger than in Q1 2001

o    Total orders down 5 percent in local currencies from Q4, but four divisions
     report  increases o ABB to combine most industry  customer  activities into
     one division o Financial strategy progressing on plan

Zurich,  Switzerland,  April 24,  2002 - ABB said  today its net  income for the
first quarter of 2002 was US$ 114 million,  compared with US$ 138 million in the
same period last year.  Its first  quarter EBIT margin (4.5 percent) was in line
with its 2002 target.  Operational cash flow, at US$ -138 million,  was stronger
than in the first quarter of 2001 (US$ -217 million).

Four  divisions  increased  orders in local  currencies  in the  first  quarter,
compared to the fourth quarter of 2001.  Automation  Technology Products grew by
11 percent,  Power Technology  Products by 21 percent,  Process Industries by 12
percent  and  Manufacturing  and  Consumer  Industries  by 3  percent  in  local
currencies.  Total group orders  decreased 5 percent  compared with the previous
quarter.  The order backlog has grown to more than US$ 13.7 billion, an increase
of 4 percent in local currencies since the end of 2001.

Compared to a strong first quarter last year,  total orders were down 15 percent
in local currencies.  Orders from strategic  customers  declined less, by only 5
percent.

"We see some favorable  early signs in order  development,  notably in the Power
and  Automation  Technology  Products  divisions,"  said Jorgen  Centerman,  ABB
president and CEO. "It is too soon to say if we have a broader upturn ahead, but
we are  confident  ABB will reach its revenue  and margin  targets for the year.
Operationally and financially, we're on track."

ABB cut  another  2,200  jobs  in the  first  quarter,  partly  through  natural
attrition. Restructuring provisions were US$ 55 million.

In line with its  strategy  to focus on power and  automation  technologies  for
utility and industry customers,  ABB announced it intends to divest the Building
Systems  business  area,  currently  part  of  the  Manufacturing  and  Consumer
Industries  division.  The other three business areas in the  Manufacturing  and
Consumer  Industries  division  will be  combined  with the  Process  Industries
division in a newly-created Industries division.

ABB reported good progress in implementing its financing  strategy.  The company
will complete the amendment of its US$ 3 billion  credit  facility  tomorrow and
confirmed that nearly all of its original 24  relationship  banks have committed
to participate. ABB also confirmed it is on track to reduce net



                                      -3-





debt by at least US$ 1.5  billion in 2002,  partly  through  the  divestment  of
Structured Finance businesses and other asset sales.

In regard to  asbestos  claims  pending  against  Combustion  Engineering,  a US
subsidiary, ABB said that about 13,300 claims were settled in the first quarter,
more than 50 percent  without  payment.  As a result of  intensified  efforts to
identify and settle valid claims and dispute  claims that appear  baseless,  the
number of pending  claims  remained at around  94,000  after the first  quarter.
Settlement costs prior to insurance  reimbursement were US$ 51 million,  up from
US$ 37 million in the first quarter last year.



                                                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ in millions, except per share         Jan - March 2002   Jan-March 2001    Change       Change in local
data                                                                                           currencies
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                               5,523            6,786      - 19%                - 15%
--------------------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------- ------------------
Revenues                                             5,149            5,380       - 4%                 - 1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)              235              334      - 30%                 - 25%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income  from continuing operations                     108              201      - 46%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from  extraordinary items and              6              (63)
accounting changes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                             114              138      - 17%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share (US$)
Income  from continuing operations, basic
and diluted:                                          0.10             0.17
Net income, basic and diluted:                        0.10             0.12

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                                 387              524      - 26%                 - 22%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities                 (138)            (217)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Organizational and management changes

Dinesh Paliwal,  head of the former Process Industries  division,  will head the
newly created Industries division.

Jan  Secher,  previously  head  of the  Manufacturing  and  Consumer  Industries
division,  will  take over from Eric  Drewery  as head of Group  Processes,  the
division  driving the  implementation  of common  processes and shared  services
throughout  ABB.  Secher will also retain  responsibility  for the business area
Building Systems, and oversee its divestment.

Drewery is retiring for health reasons after a long,  distinguished  career with
ABB.  Formerly  head  of  ABB's  organization  in the  U.K.,  he led  the  Group
Transformation  unit last year and assumed  responsibility  for Group  Processes
early this year.


                                      -4-





The ABB  Board of  Directors  appointed  Bernhard  Jucker,  47,  new head of the
Automation Technology Products division. Jucker, a Swiss citizen, has headed the
Drives and Power Electronics business area in the Automation Technology Products
division since November 2000.  Jucker succeeds Jouko Karvinen,  who has accepted
an offer from Philips to head its medical systems business.

Key financial developments

First quarter orders decreased 15 percent expressed in local currencies compared
with the same  period in 2001,  or 19  percent in  nominal  terms,  to US$ 5,523
million.  Year-on-year,  all divisions except Power Technology Products reported
lower orders compared to the first quarter of 2001.

Base orders (orders below US$ 15 million)  represented 88 percent of total first
quarter  orders.  Base  orders  declined  about 14 percent  in local  currencies
compared with the first quarter of 2001, or around 17 percent in nominal  terms.
Large orders fell by 28 percent in both local and nominal currency terms.

First quarter revenues were flat in local currencies, and decreased 4 percent in
nominal  terms to US$  5,149  million.  Oil,  Gas and  Petrochemicals  and Power
Technology  Products  reported double digit growth on the back of a strong order
backlog and continued demand for power transmission equipment, respectively.

The order backlog has increased by 2 percent to US$ 13,754 million, or 4 percent
in local currencies, since year-end 2001.

EBIT for the first  quarter of 2002 was US$ 235 million,  some 30 percent  lower
than the same period last year.  EBIT  included  other income of US$ 18 million,
comprising  restructuring  charges of US$ 55 million  (Q1 2001:  US$ 6 million),
capital  gains of US$ 58 million  (Q1 2001:  US$ 3  million),  US$ 7 million for
write-down of assets (Q1 2001: US$ 1 million),  and income from equity accounted
companies, licenses and other of US$ 22 million (Q1 2001: US$ 52 million).

After net interest expense and taxes, income from continuing operations was US$
108 million, 46 percent below first quarter 2001.

Net  income  decreased  by 17 percent  to US$ 114  million in the first  quarter
compared with the same period last year.

Net cash from operating activities improved  year-on-year,  but was negative US$
138  million.  In line with  ABB's  usual  quarterly  pattern,  working  capital
increased  slightly from  historically low levels at the end of 2001 and certain
non-cash  one-time  charges  became  cash-effective,   including   restructuring
charges.




                                      -5-







Balance sheet and liquidity

Cash and marketable  securities totaled US$ 6,583 million at March 31, 2002. Net
debt  (defined as short-,  medium- and long-term  debt less cash and  marketable
securities)  increased to US$ 4,487 million from US$ 4,077 million at the end of
2001.

In  December  2001,  the  company  established  a US$ 3 billion  committed  bank
facility. ABB drew down US$ 2,845 million under this facility in March, securing
more than  enough cash to meet all its  commercial  paper  obligations  maturing
during the remainder of 2002.  The drawdown did not increase ABB's net debt, but
replaced other short-term borrowings and added to cash equivalents.

ABB's  liquidity  was  further  strengthened  on  April 2 when  its  lead  banks
committed to fully underwrite the amended US$ 3 billion credit facility.

As part of its goal to extend the maturity  profile of its debt,  ABB  announced
that it will issue a combination of convertible and straight bonds in the second
quarter of 2002.  ABB will start a bond investor road show on April 30 and plans
to price and launch its straight bond issue in mid-May.

Outlook

The outlook  remains  unchanged.  For 2002,  revenues are expected to be flat in
comparison to 2001.  EBIT margin for the full year 2002 is expected to be in the
range of 4-5  percent.  EBIT and net cash from  operations  are  expected  to be
stronger in the second half of 2002 than in the first half.

ABB's target is to grow revenues on average by 6 percent  annually in the period
2001-2005. EBIT margin is expected to reach 9-10 percent by 2005.

Assumes  no major  currency  effects and  excludes  major  acquisitions  and
divestments

Employees

As of March 31,  2002,  ABB  employed  151,829  people  compared  to  156,865 at
year-end 2001.  Since June 30, 2001, the number of jobs (excluding  acquisitions
and divestments) decreased by more than 9,300.

Asbestos update

New claims filed during the first  quarter of 2002 in  connection  with asbestos
litigation against Combustion Engineering, a U.S. subsidiary, were about 14,300,
a decrease of 5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2001.

Of about  13,300  claims  settled  during the period,  more than 50 percent were
settled without payment.

Settlement costs prior to insurance  reimbursement were US$ 51 million,  up from
US$ 37 million in


                                      -6-





the first quarter last year.

As a result of  intensified  efforts to  identify  and settle  valid  claims and
dispute claims that appear  baseless,  the number of pending claims  remained at
around 94,000 after the first quarter.

Combustion  Engineering  considers  that the  full-year  trends for 2002 for new
claim filings,  claims settled and cash settlements cannot be reliably estimated
based on the first  quarter  developments  and does not consider it necessary to
change provisions.

Technology

Industrial IT, a common  systems  integration  architecture,  harmonizes all ABB
offerings   and  allows  the   inclusion  of   third-party   products  in  ABB's
installations for utility and industry customers.

The process of certifying  ABB products to its  Industrial IT standards was well
ahead of  schedule  by the end of the  first  quarter  of 2002.  Some  9,000 ABB
products  and  product  lines  have now  been  certified.  Close  to 8,000  were
certified  in the first  quarter  and ABB is  committed  to ratify all  relevant
products and product lines by year-end - a total of about 40,000.

ABB opened a research and development  center in the Indian city of Bangalore to
concentrate  on  software  development  and  Industrial  IT.  Some  50  software
engineers and programmers are working at the center.

Board of directors

The ABB Board of Directors, in its first meeting for 2002, constituted two board
committees designed to strengthen ABB's corporate governance. The Nomination and
Compensation Committee will be headed by board chairman Jurgen Dormann, with
Martin Ebner and Hans Ulrich Maerki as other members. Bernard Voss will head the
Finance and Audit committee, whose other members are Jacob Wallenberg and Roger
Agnelli.

Division reviews

Power and Automation  Technology Products serve their customers through external
channel partners and ABB's end-user divisions. As part of ABB's customer-centric
strategy,  some  customers are  progressively  being served  directly by channel
partners such as wholesalers, systems integrators and distributors. As a result,
orders,  revenues and earnings  associated  with these  customers  are no longer
reflected in the end-user  divisions.  At the same time,  internal  eliminations
(currently  presented in the line item  Corporate/Other)  decrease  accordingly.
There is no impact on the Group's consolidated results.

The ABB  Group's  reporting  currency  is the U.S.  dollar,  which  strengthened
against most of ABB's local currencies since last year. The strengthened  dollar
continued to impact results unfavorably


                                      -7-





during the first quarter.  All figures  reflect the first three months  activity
and, except for EBIT margins, comments refer to local currency figures.

EBIT excluding capital gains is shown only if the aggregate of such gains for
the division is material (in any case, if capital gains represent more than 10
percent of divisional EBIT).

Utilities



                                                                             
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March   Jan- March 2001           Change            Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002                                             in local
indicated                                                                                      currencies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                         1,455             1,700            - 14%             - 11%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                       1,075             1,196            - 10%              - 7%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                              32                40            - 20%             - 17%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                     3.0%              3.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



In the Americas,  demand from independent  power producers for plant and control
systems slowed. In several key markets  investment shifted from power sources to
transmission and distribution.

Highlights  of the  quarter  included  a US$ 50  million  order to install a new
high-voltage direct current  transmission system between the eastern and western
power grids of the U.S.,  scheduled  to enter  commercial  operation  in October
2003.  The division  simplified its business  structure,  reducing the number of
business  areas to three.  This  sharpened its focus on growing  consulting  and
field service business, as well as reducing cost overheads.

First  quarter  orders  declined  11 percent  due to lower base  orders,  mainly
because  Power  Technology  Products  served  progressively  more  customers via
channel  partners.  Base orders also declined as a result of the slowdown in the
power generator and substations business.  The decline in base orders was partly
offset by higher large orders.

Revenues  decreased 7 percent in line with the lower volume of base orders.  The
decline was partly offset by increased  sales in Utility  Automation and Utility
Partner business areas.

EBIT  fell 17  percent  mainly  on  lower  product  sales,  although  underlying
operational  performance actually improved on a like-for-like basis. EBIT margin
was 3 percent.


Process Industries



                                      -8-








                                                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March   Jan- March            Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002         2001                           in local
indicated                                                                                 currencies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                           808        1,055            -  23%            - 19%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                         633          775             - 18%            - 15%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                              30           35             - 14%            - 12%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                     4.7%          4.5%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




The  slowdown  in the  world  economy  continued  to have a  negative  impact on
customer demand in the process industries,  as many customers reduced or delayed
capital  expenditures.   Nevertheless,  the  division  established  several  new
alliances  and  frame  agreements,   and  has  put  in  place  its  new  service
organization.

Highlights  of the  first  quarter  included  new  product  launches,  including
ProduceIT ME and Industrial IT for Basic Quality Control,  aimed respectively at
the fast-growing pharmaceuticals and Chinese paper machine markets.

Orders  decreased 19 percent  compared with the first quarter of 2001.  This was
largely due to selected customers being served more directly by channel partners
selling ABB's automation and power technology products.  Compared with the third
and fourth quarters of 2001,  first quarter orders showed double digit increases
- largely driven by strong growth in Paper, Printing, Metals and Minerals.

Reflecting the order downturn in the second half of 2001, first quarter revenues
declined by 15  percent.  Excluding  ABB  product  sales now handled via channel
partners, revenues increased in Marine and Turbocharging and Petroleum, Chemical
and Life Sciences.

First quarter EBIT decreased 12 percent,  mainly due to the drop in year-on-year
volumes for Paper,  Printing,  Metals and  Minerals.  EBIT reported by all other
business  areas was flat or  improved.  EBIT  margin  increased  slightly to 4.7
percent as a result of  cost-cutting  to  improve  productivity,  including  a 2
percent reduction in jobs during the first quarter.


Manufacturing and Consumer Industries





                                                                                   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March       Jan- March          Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002             2001                         in local
indicated                                                                                   currencies
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                           959            1,337           - 28%            - 25%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                         841            1,163             - 28%          - 24%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                             - 6               37                NA             NA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      -9-



                                                                                   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                       NA             3.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Despite  continued  low  investment  levels in most  manufacturing  and consumer
industries  -  electronics,  computers,  telecoms  and  automotive  - there were
cautious  signs  of  recovery  in  specific   market   segments.   The  building
construction market continued to weaken, particularly in Europe.

First quarter orders dropped 25 percent compared with the same period last year,
with the sharpest decline in Building  Systems.  Orders were up 3 percent versus
the fourth quarter,  reflecting higher order intake in all business areas except
Logistics Systems

Year-on-year,  first  quarter  revenues  were down by 24  percent.  The  largest
reductions were in Automotive and Building Systems,  reflecting both lower order
backlogs and reduced  product  sales.  Lower  product  sales  resulted  from the
transfer of smaller customers to more direct supply by ABB's product divisions.

EBIT  was a loss of US$ 6  million  for the  first  quarter,  mainly  due to low
volumes and restructuring costs.


Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals


                                                                             
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March     Jan - March           Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002            2001                          in local
indicated                                                                                   currencies
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                           627              961           - 35%            - 34%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                         972              769             + 26%          + 29%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                              45               41             + 10%          + 10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                      4.6%             5.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



In Upstream markets, oil prices have recently recovered and are again within the
US$ 22 - 28 per barrel  OPEC  band,  mainly as a result of fears over the Middle
East  conflict.  Higher  prices  have not  resulted in  significantly  increased
investment,   however,  as  the  longer-term   outlook  remains  uncertain.   In
Downstream,  low levels of activity  have  continued  into the first  quarter of
2002.

Highlights  of the  quarter  included a US$ 165  million  contract  to expand an
ethylene  plant  in  Poland,  as  well  an  important  ethylbenzene   technology
conversion project with Dow Chemical,  a strategic alliance with China Petroleum
& Chemical Corporation,  and a maintenance and modification frame agreement with
the Norwegian Statoil company for several of its installations.

Orders  decreased  34 percent  compared  with first  quarter  2001,  which had a
particularly high order intake.  Several large Upstream projects were awarded in
the  first  quarter,  as  well  as  important  technology  license  projects  in
Downstream.

First quarter  revenues  increased 29 percent  overall,  fed by Upstream's  high
order backlog. Downstream revenues also increased, but more modestly given its
lower backlog.


                                      -10-






EBIT increased 10 percent compared with first quarter 2001, although EBIT margin
decreased to 4.6 percent.


Power Technology Products




                                                                                 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March      Jan - March             Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002             2001                            in local
indicated                                                                                      currencies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                         1,133            1,105             +  3%             + 7%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                         992              855             + 16%            + 21%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                              66               64              + 3%             + 6%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                      6.7%             7.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Good demand  continued in Asian markets - particularly  China - while Europe and
the Americas were mixed. The Middle East and Africa showed increased  investment
activity.

First quarter orders  increased 7 percent compared with the same period in 2001,
as base orders  showed  double-digit  improvement.  Order  growth was fuelled by
Power  Transformers,  while Distribution  Transformers  showed modest growth and
High-Voltage  Technology was negatively  impacted by the timing of large orders.
Compared with the fourth quarter of 2001, orders grew by 21 percent on increased
demand and higher product sales across all business areas.

Revenues  were up 21 percent  for the first  quarter of 2002,  mainly  driven by
double-digit growth in High-Voltage Technology and Power Transformers.  Revenues
increased  substantially  despite  an 8  percent  reduction  in  the  division's
workforce since June 2001, indicating good progress in its productivity program.

Despite significantly higher restructuring charges, EBIT increased 6 percent and
EBIT margin declined to 6.7 percent. Excluding restructuring,  EBIT increased by
about 40 percent.


Automation Technology Products






                                                                          
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March  Jan- March            Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002        2001                           in local
indicated                                                                                currencies
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders                                         1,320       1,419              - 7%             - 3%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                       1,221       1,276              - 4%           +/- 0%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                              81         112             - 28%            - 25%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT margin                                     6.6%         8.8%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Demand for  automation  products  was weak  overall  during  the first  quarter,
although  some  sectors - for  example,  robotics  and drives - showed the first
signs of recovery  from very  depressed  levels in the second  half of 2001.  In
particular, U.S. markets remained slow, while Asia - particularly China -



                                      -11-





continue to grow.

First quarter orders were down 3 percent  compared with the same period in 2001,
with all  business  areas  reporting  lower  volumes.  Compared  with the fourth
quarter,  order intake showed an 11 percent  increase on strong growth in Drives
and Power  Electronics  and Motors and Machines,  with a more modest increase in
Low-Voltage  Products.  Order intake in Control and  Instrumentation  as well as
Robotics was slightly down from the fourth quarter of 2001.

Revenues  were flat  quarter-on-quarter,  but declined 7 percent from the fourth
quarter 2001.

EBIT dropped 25 percent  compared  with the first quarter of 2001 mainly on as a
result of the timing of restructuring charges. Accordingly, EBIT margin declined
to 6.6 percent.  Compared with the fourth quarter, EBIT increased sharply due to
lower restructuring charges and the first benefits of an 8 percent job reduction
during the second half of 2001.


Financial Services




                                                                            
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Jan - March     Jan - March         Change           Change
US$ in millions, except where                   2002            2001                        in local
indicated                                                                                 currencies
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                         336              479         - 30%            - 27%
------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
EBIT                                              82               84          - 2%             + 3%
------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------


General  interest  rates  trended  upward,  with reduced  volatility  in foreign
exchange  markets.  Insurance  premiums were higher than last year, as insurance
companies recouped September 11 losses.

Revenues dropped 27 percent compared with the first quarter of 2001,  mainly due
to run-off of the  Scandinavian  Re portfolio and  associated  lower premium and
investment income.  Treasury Centers also reported lower revenues as a result of
flat trading markets.

First quarter EBIT increased 3 percent,  as a good technical result in Insurance
was somewhat offset by lower  investment  results.  Structured  Finance reported
strong  earnings from Swedish Export Credit (SEK).  Equity Ventures and Treasury
Centers reported  moderately  lower earnings  compared with the same period last
year.

Corporate/Other



                                                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Jan - March      Jan - March
US$ in millions, except where indicated                                 2002            2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                                                         - 95                   - 79
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    New Ventures                                                         -21            - 20
---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
    Corporate R & D                                                      -18            - 21
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Group Processes                                                      -30            - 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                      -12-









                                                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Real estate                                                           12              18
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Elimination of AFS interest income                                   -36            - 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other Corporate                                                      -62            - 15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capital Gains                                                             60           1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the first quarter,  total operating costs from Corporate/Other  increased to
US$ 95 million.  Corporate Research and Development costs decreased,  mainly due
to the reduction of overlapping projects. As a result of consolidating processes
across group companies, expenses for Group Processes increased.

Other Corporate  mainly includes costs for the corporate  functions  provided by
group  holding  companies.  In the first  quarter  of 2002,  it also  includes a
non-recurring recovery of a prior period cost of US$ 38 million (net of expected
tax  costs),  offset  by  non-recurring  costs  of US$ 45  million,  principally
relating to inventory and land.

Most of the capital  gain  recorded in the first  quarter of 2002 relates to the
divestment of the Air Handling business.

Reporting dates

The remaining  quarterly  reporting  dates in 2002 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 15:00 Central  European Time.  Teleconference
callers  should  dial +41 91 610 4111 in Europe  and +1 412 858 4600 in the U.S.
and Canada.  The  facility  is also  available  to the media on a "listen  only"
basis.

The 2002 first quarter results release and presentation slides will be available
from the morning of Wednesday, April 24th on the ABB Investor Relations homepage
at www.abb.com/investorrelations.

The  audio  playback  of the  conference  call  will be  available  for 72 hours
following the conference call on +41 91 610 2500 (Europe) and +1 412 858 1440 in
the U.S. and Canada. The PIN number is 605#.

ABB  (www.abb.com) is a global leader in power and automation  technologies that
enable  utility and industry  customers to improve  performance  while  lowering
environmental impact. ABB has 152,000 employees in more than 100 countries.

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


                                      -13-






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.





















For more information please contact:

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Media Relations:                           Investor Relations:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich       Switzerland: Tel. +41 43 317 38 04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Schmidt                             Sweden: Tel. +46 21 325 719
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Tel:  +41 43 317 6492                      USA: Tel. + 1 203 750 7743
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fax: +41 43 317 6494                       investor.relations@ch.abb.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
media.relations@ch.abb.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      -14-







                                   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:  April 24, 2002                  By:  /s/  BEAT HESS
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Beat Hess
                                          Title: Group Senior Officer



                                       By:  /s/ HANS ENHORNING
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Hans Enhorning
                                            Title: Group Vice President





                                      -15-