SoftBank valuation retreats on expectations of delayed OpenAI public offering
Shares in the Japanese conglomerate fell 12% as markets adjusted their outlook for the artificial intelligence firm’s liquidity timeline.
Samuel Okafor
Jul 3, 2026 · 1 min read
A 12% decline in SoftBank Group’s share price on Friday reflects the sensitivity of Masayoshi Son’s portfolio to the shifting timelines of the artificial intelligence sector. The sell-off followed reports that OpenAI is considering a postponement of its initial public offering, a move that would delay a significant liquidity event for SoftBank’s aggressive venture positions. This market reaction erased a portion of SoftBank’s recent gains, contributing to a broader 4% slide in the Nikkei average.
The volatility underscores the structural dependence of SoftBank’s valuation on the realization of its AI investment strategy. Despite Son’s public assertions that the AI sector remains undervalued, institutional investors are showing renewed caution regarding the duration of high-growth cycles. While SoftBank's subsidiary Arm Holdings continues to secure a dominant 50% share in top-tier AI data centers, the conglomerate’s public market performance remains tethered to the perceived exit windows for its largest private bets.