SoftBank Invests $2 Billion Stake in Intel Amid U.S. Chip Expansion

Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group is investing $2 billion in Intel, acquiring a significant stake as part of its broader strategy to deepen involvement in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and advanced technology. This investment is viewed as a strong vote of confidence in Intel amid the company's ongoing turnaround efforts and challenges, including a recent substantial financial loss and stiff competition from rivals like Nvidia and AMD. The move aligns with SoftBank's focus on artificial intelligence and follows its participation in a major $500 billion AI project alongside President Trump and other tech leaders. Intel's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, welcomed the support from SoftBank’s chairman Masayoshi Son, with whom he has a long-standing relationship. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Trump administration is also considering acquiring a 10% stake in Intel, signaling potential government involvement in bolstering the U.S. chipmaker. Despite initial share price declines post-announcement, Intel's stock rose notably after news of SoftBank's investment, reflecting renewed market optimism.