Investors are closely monitoring SoftBank Group’s concerted push to consolidate its influence across the artificial intelligence and semiconductor landscapes. The Japanese conglomerate is orchestrating a series of high-stakes partnerships and potential investments, signaling a long-term strategy to secure foundational positions in next-generation chips and AI platforms rather than chasing short-term headlines. The critical question for the market is how tangible these moves are and when they will materially impact the bottom line.
Key Developments at a Glance:
* An alliance between SoftBank subsidiary SAIMEMORY and Intel aims to bring a novel memory technology called Z-Angle Memory (ZAM) to market.
* Prototype development targets the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028, with commercialization slated for FY 2029.
* Reports indicate SoftBank may take a significant stake in Japanese chipmaker Rapidus.
* The group is allegedly in discussions concerning an additional investment of up to $30 billion in OpenAI.
* The next major catalyst for shareholders is the Q3 FY2025 earnings report, scheduled for February 12.
Forging Alliances in Core Technology
A cornerstone of this strategy materialized on February 2 with a signed collaboration agreement. The pact between Intel and SAIMEMORY Corp., a SoftBank Corp. subsidiary established in December 2024 to focus on next-gen memory, centers on commercializing Z-Angle Memory (ZAM). This advanced technology promises to deliver high capacity and bandwidth while operating with improved power efficiency—a combination deemed essential for data centers tasked with training and running increasingly complex AI models.
The roadmap for this partnership extends several years into the future. The companies plan to develop working prototypes by the close of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028. Their ultimate goal is to achieve full commercialization within the following fiscal year, 2029.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying SoftBank?
Doubling Down on Strategic Sectors
Beyond memory technology, SoftBank appears to be broadening its semiconductor ambitions. Recent industry reports suggest the group is positioning itself to become a major shareholder in Rapidus, a Japanese firm focused on advanced chip manufacturing. Such a move would align with a larger national initiative to bolster Japan’s standing in the global semiconductor supply chain.
In a parallel and equally ambitious vein, late-January reports revealed that SoftBank is engaged in talks regarding a substantial follow-on investment in OpenAI, potentially reaching $30 billion. This would significantly deepen its exposure to a leading AI platform and underscore a strategic focus on acquiring substantial interests in pivotal AI enterprises.
Upcoming Financials to Provide Clarity
These strategic maneuvers follow a 4-for-1 stock split that took effect on January 1, 2025. Investors now await concrete financial data to assess the translation of this strategy into performance. SoftBank Group is set to release its third-quarter results for fiscal year 2025 on February 12. This report will offer the next official update on the health of its vast investment portfolio, including the Vision Fund, and may provide clearer indications of how its intensified AI focus is beginning to reflect in the company’s financial metrics.
Ad
SoftBank Stock: Buy or Sell?! New SoftBank Analysis from February 5 delivers the answer:
The latest SoftBank figures speak for themselves: Urgent action needed for SoftBank investors. Is it worth buying or should you sell? Find out what to do now in the current free analysis from February 5.
SoftBank: Buy or sell? Read more here...
