The investment from Softbank is equal to roughly 2% of Intel
In sum – what to know:
$2B vote of confidence – SoftBank will invest $2B in Intel, becoming its fifth-largest shareholder as the U.S. chipmaker struggles to regain ground in advanced semiconductors and foundry services.
Intel under continued pressure – Despite an 18% rebound in 2025, Intel lost 60% of its value last year, faces political scrutiny in Washington, and has yet to secure major foundry customers.
SoftBank’s rising AI clout – Backed by investments in Arm, Ampere, OpenAI, and Trump’s Stargate initiative, SoftBank is emerging as a heavyweight in chips and AI infrastructure.
Intel and SoftBank said Monday that the Japanese conglomerate will invest $2 billion in the struggling U.S. chipmaker.
The purchase, equal to roughly 2% of Intel, makes SoftBank the company’s fifth-largest shareholder, reported CNBC, citing data from FactSet. SoftBank will pay $23 a share for Intel stock, which closed Monday at $23.66. Shares climbed about 6% in extended trading to $25.
The move marks a show of confidence in Intel, which has struggled to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom in advanced semiconductors while spending heavily to build a foundry business that has yet to secure a major customer.
Intel shares lost 60% of their value last year — the company’s worst performance since going public more than half a century ago. The stock is up 18% so far in 2025. Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO in March after Pat Gelsinger was ousted in December.
“We are very pleased to deepen our relationship with SoftBank, a company that’s at the forefront of so many areas of emerging technology and innovation and shares our commitment to advancing U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership. Masa and I have worked closely together for decades, and I appreciate the confidence he has placed in Intel with this investment,” said Tan, referring to SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son.
Intel is the only American firm capable of producing the most advanced chips. Still, its foundry arm remains under pressure. Last month, Intel said it would delay certain future investments until firm customer orders materialize.
Tan also met with President Donald Trump last week, after Trump had called for his resignation over alleged conflicts of interest. Reports indicate the administration has discussed taking a direct equity stake in Intel.
SoftBank’s AI strategy has followed a different trajectory, marked by steady expansion in chips and artificial intelligence. The company acquired Arm for $32 billion in 2016, a business now valued near $150 billion, and in March agreed to buy chip designer Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion, founded by Intel ex-President Renée J. James.
SoftBank has also been active in Trump’s $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, partnering with OpenAI and Oracle. Earlier this week, it acquired a Foxconn factory in Ohio to convert into an AI data center equipment hub. It also led a $40 billion investment in OpenAI, the largest private tech deal on record.
“This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will continue to expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role,” Son said in a statement.
