SoftBank Stock (SFTBY) Takes a Hit as OpenAI Joint Venture Faces Extended Delays

SoftBank investors brace for impact as the much-hyped OpenAI collaboration hits unexpected roadblocks—because what's another delay in the world of tech moonshots?

Market Reaction

SFTBY shares tumble as timelines stretch—proving once again that in tech partnerships, optimism often outpaces execution. The delay signals deeper integration challenges that weren't in the original pitch deck.

Strategic Implications

SoftBank's AI ambitions face reality checks while competitors gain ground. The Vision Fund playbook of betting big on emerging tech hits another snag—because nothing says 'vision' like extended timelines and impatient shareholders.

Finance professionals shrug—after all, it's just another day in the markets where promised revolutions often arrive late, if they arrive at all.

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Fall Update

The partnership bringing artificial intelligence services to corporate customers was supposed to have been set up this summer. But according to a report in Reuters quoting sources familiar with the matter the preparations are taking longer than expected.

There is no indication what has caused the delay but it is understood that an update on the process will be announced in November.

SoftBank told Reuters that preparations were proceeding but declined to comment on details. OpenAI did not comment.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced the venture, SB OpenAI Japan, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in February. SoftBank said the venture WOULD be owned by OpenAI and a company established by SoftBank and its domestic telecoms unit.

AI Push

At a shareholder meeting in June, the CEO of the telecoms business, Junichi Miyakawa, said July-end was the target to set up the venture. The products the business will offer are in discussion, Miyakawa said.

SoftBank is making a big push on AI to help it keep outompeting its peers – see below:

It is currently exploring a $1 trillion plan to build a massive AI and robotics manufacturing hub in Arizona. The project, known as “Project Crystal Land,” is still in its early planning stages but aims to produce semiconductors and industrial robots at scale. The goal is to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity in advanced technologies and reduce reliance on imports, particularly given President Trump’s tariffs strategy.

However, its $500 billion Stargate project to develop data centres in the U.S. has also been delayed by protracted negotiations with other parties and on decisions related to locations.

That project includes partners like Oracle (ORCL), OpenAI, and MGX.

Is SFTBY a Good Stock to Buy Now?

As SFTBY has limited analyst coverage, let’s take a look at the company’s stock forecast and price target charts.