Core Viewpoint - SoftBank's founder Masayoshi Son stated that the company sold its entire stake in Nvidia to raise funds for AI investments, emphasizing that he would not have sold if there were "unlimited funds" available for such investments [1][2]. Group 1: Reasons for Selling Nvidia Shares - SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake, amounting to approximately 32.1 million shares, for a total value of about $5.83 billion [4]. - The sale was primarily driven by the need to raise capital for projects such as data center construction and investments in OpenAI [1][2]. - Son expressed regret over the sale, indicating that he was "crying" while selling the shares, highlighting the emotional weight of the decision [1]. Group 2: AI Investment Perspective - Son refuted claims of an "AI investment bubble," arguing that AI could generate returns equivalent to 10% of global GDP in the long term, making substantial investments worthwhile [2]. - He criticized those who believe in an AI bubble, suggesting they lack understanding of the potential of AI [2]. - SoftBank has significantly increased its AI-related investments, including partnerships for data center development and acquisitions in the semiconductor sector [1]. Group 3: Historical Context of Nvidia Investment - SoftBank initially invested $4 billion in Nvidia in 2017, acquiring nearly 5% of the company [2]. - The company sold its Nvidia shares in 2019, missing out on the stock's rise from a market cap of $100 billion to $4 trillion [2]. - After a period of reduced investment, SoftBank re-established its position in Nvidia, increasing its holdings from $1 billion in Q4 of last year to approximately $3 billion in Q1 of this year [3].
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