SoftBank has sold its $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia to increase funding for OpenAI, underscoring its belief that artificial intelligence software will power the next great technological leap. The move also reflects broader investor caution following Nvidia’s massive run-up.
The company announced quarterly profits of 2.5 trillion yen—double last year’s performance—driven by gains in AI-related assets. It also divested part of its T-Mobile stake to improve liquidity for upcoming investments.
Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto said the Nvidia sale was a financial realignment to support a $30 billion OpenAI funding plan. “We’re repositioning for future opportunities rather than reacting to market conditions,” he noted.
Nvidia shares fell 3.5% after the announcement, contributing to declines in other technology stocks. The Nasdaq Composite slipped nearly 1% amid speculation that the AI rally may have reached maturity.
Analysts believe SoftBank’s strategic pivot reflects a deeper recognition that true value in AI will stem from model development, data training, and deployment rather than chip manufacturing.