SoftBank Group’s quarterly profit more than doubled to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion), boosted by soaring valuations in OpenAI, where the Japanese conglomerate holds a major stake.
Its Vision Fund unit recorded a 3.5 trillion yen investment gain, with 2.16 trillion yen from OpenAI alone. The result far exceeded expectations and underscores SoftBank’s renewed success amid the global AI investment wave.
OpenAI’s valuation has skyrocketed — from $300 billion in March to $500 billion in October — as investors rush to capitalize on artificial intelligence. But concerns about an AI bubble are rising, with doubts over whether profits will match the scale of investment.
SoftBank is deepening its commitment to AI, selling $5.8 billion worth of Nvidia shares, issuing multi-currency bonds, and securing large bridge loans to finance its growing portfolio, including semiconductor firm Ampere.
CEO Masayoshi Son remains steadfast in his belief that AI will define the next era of innovation, calling it the company’s “core growth engine.”
