SoftBank has announced that it will invest $2 billion in Intel to support the growth of semiconductor chips and advanced technologies in the United States.
SoftBank will purchase Intel’s common stock at $23 per share. Immediately after the news was released, Intel’s share price rose by more than 5%. Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, stated that this move reflects their confidence in the growth of U.S. semiconductor production and that Intel will play a key role in this sector.
This investment represents a significant step for Intel, which has lagged behind its competitors in recent years. It also demonstrates SoftBank’s growing interest in the U.S. market, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Notably, SoftBank recently acquired a Foxconn-owned factory in Lordstown, Ohio, with plans to develop AI data centers there.
Under the leadership of new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel is currently undergoing restructuring. The company is streamlining its semiconductor operations and focusing on its core client and data center services. Earlier this summer, Intel closed its automotive architecture business and laid off a large portion of its workforce. Additionally, Intel plans to reduce the number of employees in its Intel Foundry division by 15%–20%.
