SoftBank misses profit target as OpenAI bet, exits reshape portfolio

SoftBank misses profit estimates but boosts profit, doubles investment gains and leans harder into OpenAI and AI assets after major T-Mobile and Nvidia exits.

SoftBank Group Corp. reported a quarterly profit of ¥248.6 billion, falling short of analyst estimates of ¥336.7 billion, according to company financial results released this week.

For the nine-month period from April to December, net sales increased 7.9% year-over-year, according to the company’s earnings statement. Income before tax rose 228%, while net income climbed nearly 400% compared to the same period the previous year. Investment gains doubled during the period, though the group’s investment business outside of Vision Funds declined 91.9%.

The SoftBank Vision Funds unit reported a substantial gain, reversing a loss recorded in the prior year period. The Vision Funds hold the majority of the company’s OpenAI exposure, according to company disclosures.

SoftBank committed capital to OpenAI in March 2025, with funds directed through SVF2, the company’s second Vision Fund, according to regulatory filings. The first funding round closed in April 2025 with participation from SVF2, followed by a second round in December. SoftBank’s total ownership stake in OpenAI reached approximately 11%, with the first investment in OpenAI Global LLC and the second in OpenAI Group PBC following a recapitalization completed in October. The company holds its OpenAI shares directly through SVF2.

Between June and December, SoftBank sold a significant stake in T-Mobile US Inc., according to securities filings. The company also divested its entire Nvidia Corp. stake in October. SoftBank has borrowed against its holdings in Arm Holdings and other assets to maintain liquidity, according to financial disclosures.

In December 2025, SoftBank announced plans to acquire DigitalBridge Group Inc., a Florida-based data center investment firm, including debt. In October, the company agreed to acquire ABB Ltd.’s robotics division.

Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto stated during the earnings call that 60% of the company’s assets are now AI- or ASI-related, referring to artificial superintelligence. When questioned about the company’s continued investment in OpenAI, Goto said the company assumes OpenAI will lead the industry and is convinced of its potential, which drives the investment strategy. Goto indicated the company believes OpenAI is in early stages of monetizing its technology, with potential future revenue streams from enterprise deals, hardware, and advertising, though OpenAI has not yet achieved profitability.

SoftBank shares have risen in 2026 following gains in 2025. The stock received additional support this week after Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s electoral victory over the weekend. Takaichi has advocated for increased government spending in AI and semiconductor sectors, according to campaign statements.