BTIG Initiates Buy on SoftBank as AI and Robotics Strategy Gains Momentum

BTIG has initiated coverage of SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984) with a Buy rating, citing the Japanese investment conglomerate’s strong positioning at the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics. The brokerage firm set a price target of 5,400 yen, suggesting roughly 22% upside from recent trading levels, as confidence grows around SoftBank’s long-term AI-driven strategy.

According to BTIG, SoftBank has a proven history of identifying and capitalizing on major technology shifts ahead of the market. Past investments in Alibaba Group, Yahoo, and Arm Holdings are highlighted as examples that reinforce confidence in CEO Masayoshi Son’s ability to navigate the next wave of innovation centered on AI. This track record underpins BTIG’s positive outlook as AI adoption accelerates across industries.

A central pillar of SoftBank’s AI strategy is its significant stake in Arm Holdings, which BTIG views as a core asset. Arm’s chip designs are widely used across smartphones, data centers, and increasingly in AI workloads, positioning the company as a critical enabler of next-generation computing. BTIG also pointed to SoftBank’s sizable investment in OpenAI and its recent acquisition of Ampere as strengthening exposure to both AI software and AI hardware, broadening its footprint across the AI ecosystem.

The brokerage emphasized SoftBank’s growing focus on what it calls “Physical AI,” which combines artificial intelligence with robotics. The establishment of a centralized robotics unit, Robo HD, along with an expanding robotics portfolio, was cited as a key differentiator compared with other global technology investors.

BTIG noted that SoftBank’s large and diversified portfolio helps absorb losses from past setbacks, such as WeWork, without undermining the overall investment thesis. Analysts added that the discount at which SoftBank shares trade relative to net asset value has narrowed in recent years, reflecting improved portfolio construction and greater control over strategic assets. Further discount compression could drive additional share price gains if execution in AI and robotics continues.

While SoftBank has invested aggressively in AI over the past three years and recently completed a reported $41 billion investment in OpenAI, BTIG acknowledged risks. Analysts flagged concerns around OpenAI’s heavy spending and warned that a bankruptcy scenario would significantly impact SoftBank. Even so, BTIG believes the company’s scale, diversification, and long-term AI vision support a favorable risk-reward profile.