TLDRs;
- SoftBank Corp raises revenue and profit outlook, showing steady progress toward fiscal targets.
- Arm Holdings’ AI-driven revenue growth boosts SoftBank investor sentiment significantly.
- SoftBank strategically uses Arm and AI projects to fund acquisitions and expand its AI ecosystem.
- SoftBank bridges investment and operations, aiming for synergy across AI and tech holdings.
- SoftBank stock rises on telecom strength, Arm growth, and strategic AI investment plans.
SoftBank Group (SFTBY) shares rallied following a positive update from its telecom subsidiary, SoftBank Corp, which raised its full-year revenue and profit forecasts.
The jump reflects both solid operational performance and growing optimism surrounding SoftBank’s AI and semiconductor investments, particularly its significant stake in Arm Holdings.
Telecom Unit Drives Earnings Upgrade
SoftBank Corp reported record revenue and operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2025, prompting the parent company to increase its full-year guidance. Revenue is now expected to reach ¥6.95 trillion (US$44.5 billion), while operating income is projected at ¥1.02 trillion (US$6.5 billion).
Despite tighter customer acquisition policies leading to a minor subscriber decline, revenue from SoftBank Corp’s consumer segment grew modestly by 3%. Analysts noted that the improved forecasts underscore SoftBank’s disciplined strategy in balancing subscriber growth with profitability.
Arm Holdings Rally Supports SoftBank Stock
Arm Holdings, in which SoftBank holds a substantial stake, also contributed to the stock’s upward momentum. The chip designer reported a record US$1.2 billion quarterly revenue for Q4 2025, driven largely by demand for AI-related applications.
CEO Rene Haas highlighted that data center royalty revenue more than doubled year-on-year. Arm aims to supply approximately half of the CPUs used by major cloud providers by year-end, reflecting its central role in powering next-generation AI infrastructure.
AI Investments and Strategic Partnerships
SoftBank’s close ties with Arm go beyond ownership. Around US$200 million of Arm’s licensing revenue in the quarter was linked directly to SoftBank-led projects such as the Stargate Project, a collaboration with OpenAI and Oracle to develop AI-focused data centers in the U.S.
The company has also leveraged its Arm stake to secure financing. SoftBank obtained a US$5 billion margin loan using Arm shares as collateral and additional US$15 billion in loans to fund its OpenAI investment and the US$6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere, a server CPU designer.
Connecting Ownership and Operations
SoftBank Group is evolving from a passive investor to an operator that integrates its portfolio holdings into a connected AI stack. By linking Arm, Ampere, and planned investments of up to US$30 billion in OpenAI, SoftBank positions itself on both sides of the AI value chain.
This approach allows internal projects to potentially feed revenue back into portfolio companies, narrowing the traditional gap between investor returns and operational performance. Analysts suggest this model could create synergies that reinforce SoftBank’s long-term growth, particularly in AI and cloud computing sectors.
Investor Takeaway
SoftBank’s stock surge highlights market confidence in its dual strategy of disciplined telecom operations and high-stakes AI investments. With Arm’s performance, strategic partnerships, and leveraged deals, SoftBank is positioning itself as both a key player in AI infrastructure and a financially agile conglomerate.
As the company progresses toward its fiscal goals, investors will likely monitor the interplay between internal AI projects, external partnerships, and portfolio-wide revenue generation, which could continue to drive sentiment and share price gains.
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