SoftBank Group Share Price Surges 19.85% Amid AI Sector Optimism

SoftBank Group's share price jumped 19.85% to 6,039 yen on Thursday, snapping a five-session losing streak, as robust earnings from chipmaker Nvidia renewed optimism around the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The conglomerate's total market value now stands at approximately 34.49 trillion yen, with nearly $35 billion added to its market capitalization in a single session.

The rally reflects SoftBank's deep exposure to the AI boom through its stake in Arm Holdings, whose chip architectures power AI servers and data centers built on Nvidia systems, as well as its investments in OpenAI. Arm Holdings shares gained more than 15% during US trading hours.

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SoftBank-backed company SB Energy Corp., which develops energy infrastructure for data centers, said that it would file a confidential draft registration statement for a proposed IPO in the US. Investor sentiment was also lifted by renewed optimism surrounding a potential OpenAI IPO. According to reports, OpenAI is preparing to confidentially file for a US initial public offering (IPO) in the coming weeks.

The ChatGPT maker is aiming to go public as early as September and is working with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley on a draft IPO prospectus that it plans to file with the regulators soon, Reuters reported, quoting sources. SoftBank and Open AI have close ties through a capital alliance. It's one of the largest OpenAI shareholders with about a 13% stake and has invested about $64.6 billion through its Vision Fund.

Nvidia reported another blockbuster quarterly performance overnight, with revenue soaring 85% year-on-year to $81.62 billion from $44.06 billion. The company also announced an $80 billion share repurchase programme and increased its dividend, reinforcing confidence in sustained AI-driven growth. The upbeat sentiment extended across Asia, with semiconductor and technology stocks linked to Nvidia's supply chain advancing sharply on Thursday.

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SoftBank Group stock price has been forming a bullish cup-and-handle pattern over the past 133 sessions, indicating a healthy consolidation after a high-beta rally. According to Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investments, a decisive breakout above 6,060 yen would confirm the pattern resolution and trigger a fresh round of buying, opening immediate upside potential toward the 6,500 yen zone. Failure to sustain above breakout levels could delay the bullish expansion.