SoftBank Shares Slide After OpenAI IPO Delay Report
SoftBank Group Corp (TYO:9984) shares fell sharply on Friday, slipping 11.3% to ¥6,317 per share as of 01:06 GMT, after the New York Times reported that OpenAI is leaning toward postponing its planned initial public offering until 2027. The market reaction reflects investor concerns that the anticipated liquidity event for one of SoftBank’s largest AI‑related investments may be delayed.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, had previously explored a public listing as early as the third or fourth quarter of 2026 and was seeking a valuation of up to $1 trillion, a significant increase from its last private valuation of $730 billion. However, the NYT article noted that OpenAI’s advisers have cautioned chief executive Sam Altman to move cautiously, citing recent volatile equity market performance—including the disappointing market debut of Elon Musk’s SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX)—and broader doubts about whether AI companies can justify such lofty valuations.
Advisors are reportedly urging Altman to consider waiting until 2027 for a public listing at the targeted $1 trillion valuation rather than lowering valuation expectations to accelerate the process. The report suggests that market volatility and investor appetite for high‑multiple AI stocks are key factors behind the suggested postponement.
SoftBank remains one of OpenAI’s largest backers, having participated in multiple funding rounds and AI‑infrastructure initiatives, which amplifies the impact of the potential IPO delay on SoftBank’s portfolio and share price.