SoftBank Group is set to pour US$2 billion into Intel, strengthening its U.S. investment drive and showing renewed faith in the struggling semiconductor giant.
SoftBank will buy Intel shares at US$23 apiece under a deal aimed at deepening their commitment to U.S. chip innovation, the firms said Monday.
Intel’s stock climbed nearly 5% in late trading after the news broke. It ended the regular session at US$23.66, marking an 18% rise so far this year.
Tokyo-headquartered SoftBank is growing its presence in the U.S., recently snapping up Foxconn’s electric vehicle plant in Ohio and partnering with OpenAI and Oracle on the Stargate data center venture.
Intel is striving to regain its edge in the chip industry after falling behind its rivals.
Intel has reportedly held talks with the Trump administration on a potential deal that could make the U.S. its biggest supporter, including a possible 10% government stake. As it announced its investment, SoftBank praised Intel’s long-standing role in shaping the chip industry.
“Intel has been a trusted innovator for more than five decades,” said SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. “Our investment shows faith in the growth of U.S. chip manufacturing, with Intel playing a key role.”
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Intel CEO Tan Lip-bu, a longtime collaborator of Son, praised the strengthened partnership. “SoftBank is a leader in emerging tech and shares our vision for U.S. innovation,” he said. “We’re grateful for their trust in Intel.”
