SoftBank Group posted a first-quarter net income of 347.3 billion yen (US$2.2 billion) for the fiscal quarter ending June 2026, marking an 18% decline compared to the same period last year [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Despite the drop, the result exceeded analyst expectations, whose average market estimate was approximately 166 billion yen [1, 4, 5].
The company's earnings were supported by a large investment gain of between 1.3 trillion and 1.33 trillion yen (around US$8.2 billion) stemming from its stake in U.S. chipmaker Intel [1, 3, 4]. SoftBank had invested roughly US$2 billion in Intel in 2025 and benefited from a rally in Intel shares during the quarter [1, 3, 4]. Overall, SoftBank booked total investment gains of 1.86 trillion yen over the quarter, mostly driven by gains on Intel shares [1].
SoftBank’s Vision Funds also saw a value gain of about US$1.7 billion, driven largely by a US$2.2 billion boost in ByteDance’s valuation, which helped offset losses in other holdings [3]. The company’s portfolio includes significant investments in OpenAI, ByteDance, and other AI-related startups showing mixed valuation trends [3, 4].
The firm remains bullish on AI and related sectors. Founder Masayoshi Son has sold assets including Nvidia and T-Mobile to increase SoftBank’s AI bets [1]. The company is preparing for an OpenAI IPO that may be delayed until 2027 [1]. In the second half of 2026, SoftBank plans to invest a further US$20 billion in OpenAI, US$5.4 billion to acquire ABB’s robotics division, and US$3.1 billion to acquire DigitalBridge [1].
To cover its 2026 investment commitments, SoftBank secured a US$40 billion bridging loan, which expires in March 2027, requiring repayment or refinancing [1, 4]. In August 2026, the company also agreed to a separate US$10 billion loan using its OpenAI stake as collateral amid valuation challenges [1].
SoftBank’s stock price has reflected volatility and swings in sentiment around AI investments during 2026 [4]. The company now faces the task of managing its significant debt as the bridging loan approaches maturity in March 2027 [1, 4].
