SoftBank has sold its $5.8 billion Nvidia stake to fund its expanding partnership with OpenAI, signaling a dramatic shift in how it allocates capital within the AI industry. The sale follows Nvidia’s record-setting performance over the past two years.
The Japanese investor reported profits of 2.5 trillion yen in the second quarter, more than doubling from the previous year. Valuation gains in AI-related holdings contributed significantly to this growth.
CFO Yoshimitsu Goto said the decision was rooted in financial discipline. “We are reallocating capital to fund OpenAI, where our investment this year will exceed $30 billion,” he noted.
Nvidia shares declined 3.5% after the news, sparking modest pullbacks across the broader tech market. Arm and Micron saw similar declines amid investor caution about AI sector valuations.
Analysts suggest the sale reflects SoftBank’s shift toward companies that shape AI behavior and applications, rather than merely supplying the tools to build them. The move could position SoftBank as a leading financier in the generative AI revolution.