软银激进筹资投AI:发行5000亿日元高息债,票面利率3.98% 创15年来新高

Core Viewpoint - SoftBank Group announced plans to raise approximately 500 billion yen (about 22.647 billion RMB) through bond issuance aimed at individual investors, marking a significant shift in its financing strategy amid changing macroeconomic conditions in Japan [1]. Group 1: Bond Issuance Details - The bonds are seven-year unsecured senior bonds with a final coupon rate set at 3.98%, which is the highest rate for similar yen-denominated bonds issued by SoftBank in over 15 years [1]. - The last time SoftBank issued bonds with such a high coupon rate was in 2009, when the rate was 4.52% [1]. Group 2: Economic Context - The issuance of high-yield bonds is attributed to significant changes in Japan's macroeconomic environment, particularly the Bank of Japan's decision to end its negative interest rate policy in March 2024 [1]. - This policy shift has led to an increase in Japanese government bond yields, raising the overall interest rate levels in the market [1]. Group 3: Use of Proceeds and Market Impact - Proceeds from the bond sale will partially be used to repay bridge loans related to additional investments in OpenAI [1]. - Over the past month, SoftBank's stock price has declined by approximately 30%, and its credit default swap spreads, an indicator of credit risk, have widened to the highest level in nearly four months [1].