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SoftBank is a Japan-based telecom and e-commerce conglomerate that has expanded mainly through acquisitions, and its key assets include a 40%-owned mobile and fixed broadband telecom operator business in Japan. It also owns 90% of semiconductor chip designer Arm Holdings following the 2023 IPO of this business, and has a vast portfolio of mainly internet- and e-commerce-focused early-stage investments. It is also general partner of the $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund 1 and sole investor in SoftBank Vision Fund 2, both of which primarily invest in pre-IPO internet and AI companies.

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SoftBank is investing $100 billion in the U.S. with CEO Masayoshi Son pledging support and confidence in President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump Says SoftBank&#39;s $100B Commitment To US Is &#39;Monumental Demonstration Of Confidence In America&#39;s Future&#39;

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Alibaba&#39;s QwQ-32B-Preview challenges OpenAI&#39;s dominance in AI reasoning with its advanced 32.5 billion-parameter model, outperforming OpenAI&#39;s o1 on key benchmarks while adhering to Chinese regulatory standards.

Alibaba&#39;s New AI Model Outperforms OpenAI&#39;s o1 In Specific Benchmarks, Now Available For Free Download

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OpenAI is enabling employees to sell up to $1.5 billion worth of shares in a tender offer led by SoftBank

SoftBank Secures Bigger OpenAI Stake With $1.5B Employee Share Buyout: Report

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Japanese company SoftBank (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>)(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) announced a $100 billion investment and 100,000 jobs created in a commitment to the U.S. on Monday,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42505666/softbanks-masayoshi-son-to-reportedly-announce-100b-us-investment-during-meeting-with-trump"> confirming earlier reports</a>.
What Happened: SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son made the announcement alongside President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago Monday, showing his confidence in the economic health of the U.S. since <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/24/12/42511472/trump-hits-7-year-high-in-favorability-ratings-how-republicans-democrats-men-and-women-view-president-elect">Trump won the 2024 election.</a>
"My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory," Son said, acknowledging Trump.
Son said he is excited to commit $100 billion and 100,000 jobs to the U.S. as a sign of confidence in what's to come.
"This is double of last time as President Trump said, because I say President Trump is a double down president. I'm going to have to double down."
Son said business is important and technology is important. The CEO also expressed confidence Trump can bring "the world into peace again."
"That's my additional hope."
Trump praised Son as one of the top voices and figures in emerging technology, calling him a "brilliant guy."
"This historic investment is a monumental demonstration of confidence in America's future, and it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and other industries of tomorrow are built, created and grown right here in the U.S.A." Trump said.
Trump reminded people that SoftBank committed to invest $50 billion after the 2016 election and said that it kept that promise.
After Son spoke, Trump asked the SoftBank CEO if he would make it $200 billion, putting him on the spot for a larger commitment.
Son said his promise is for $100 billion.
"I will try to make it happen. He is a great negotiator," Son said.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41929194/nvidia-and-softbank-to-build-japans-top-ai-supercomputer-on-blackwell-platform-jensen-huang-says-tokyo-is-leaping-into-the-ai-industrial-revolution">Nvidia And SoftBank To Build Japan&#8217;s Top AI Supercomputer On Blackwell Platform — Jensen Huang Says Tokyo Is &#8216;Leaping Into The AI Industrial Revolution&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: The $100 billion and jobs commitments will come over the next four years and could show a strengthened relationship between one of the largest Asian investment companies and the U.S.
Softbank is the owner of the Softbank Vision Fund, one of the largest technology-focused investment funds worldwide. The company is also a key investor in Arm Holdings and OpenAI.
"You'll have my support. You'll have our country's support," Trump said to Son.
The announcement could show strengthened relationships between the U.S. and Japan, which comes as the president-elect has<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42028954/peter-thiel-says-trumps-60-china-tariff-would-be-very-very-bad-for-beijing-heres-whats-at-stake"> threatened higher tariffs</a> on goods exported from China.
Since winning the 2024 election, business leaders from the U.S. and other countries flocked to gain support from Trump and push for future growth.
Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman have<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/12/42485193/sam-altman-to-donate-1m-to-trumps-inauguration-fund-following-zuckerberg-bezos-eager-to-support"> each pledged $1 million</a> to Trump's inauguration fund through their companies or personal wealth. Apple CEO Tim Cook also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42495714/tim-cook-dines-with-donald-trump-at-mar-a-lago-to-strengthen-apples-position-as-zuckerberg-and-pichai-repair-ties-and-jeff-bezos-prepares-for-his-turn-report">recently met with</a> Trump in a potential show of support from the technology giant.
The world's richest man Elon Musk has been a supporter of Trump and is also set to have a role in the new White House administration as the co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's influence on Trump could lead to new government regulations that could benefit Tesla and SpaceX and help add to his wealth.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42227972/softbank-secures-bigger-openai-stake-with-1-5b-employee-share-buyout-report">SoftBank Secures Bigger OpenAI Stake With $1.5B Employee Share Buyout: Report</a></li>
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Trump Says SoftBank's $100B Commitment To US Is 'Monumental Demonstration Of Confidence In America's Future'

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) has introduced a new AI model, QwQ-32B-Preview, which is positioned as a competitor to Microsoft Corp.-backed (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) OpenAI&#8217;s o1 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/09/40842891/openai-unveils-o1-model-a-step-closer-to-human-like-ai-but-not-without-flaws">reasoning model</a>.
What Happened: Developed by Alibaba&#8217;s Qwen team, QwQ-32B-Preview boasts 32.5 billion parameters, enabling it to handle prompts up to 32,000 words.
This model is one of the few available under a permissive license, allowing for download and use, the company stated in a blog post on Thursday.
It reportedly outperforms OpenAI&#8217;s o1-preview and o1-mini models on specific benchmarks, such as the AIME and MATH tests. These tests evaluate AI models&#8217; performance in logic puzzles and math problems.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/42169194/joby-gets-toyotas-500m-dollar-lift-evtol-pioneer-making-new-highs?itm_source=parsely-api">Joby Gets Toyota&#8217;s $500M Dollar Lift: eVTOL Pioneer Making New Highs</a>
Despite its strengths, QwQ-32B-Preview has limitations. Alibaba acknowledges potential issues like unexpected language switches and underperformance in tasks requiring common sense reasoning.
The model&#8217;s reasoning capabilities allow it to fact-check itself, reducing errors but increasing solution time.
QwQ-32B-Preview is available on the AI development platform Hugging Face.
However, only certain components are released, limiting full replication or insight into its workings. The model&#8217;s responses align with Chinese regulatory standards, avoiding politically sensitive topics.
The development was first <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/27/alibaba-releases-an-open-challenger-to-openais-o1-reasoning-model/">spotted</a> by TechCrunch.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The introduction of Alibaba&#8217;s QwQ-32B-Preview comes at a time when OpenAI is making significant strides in the AI sector. Last month, OpenAI&#8217;s valuation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41149788/openai-valuation-soars-to-157b-in-latest-funding-round">soared to $157 billion </a>following a successful funding round.&nbsp;
Earlier this week, it was reported that SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) has increased its stake in OpenAI through a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42227972/softbank-secures-bigger-openai-stake-with-1-5b-employee-share-buyout-report">$1.5 billion employee share buyout</a>.
OpenAI is also reportedly exploring the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42130303/chatgpt-parent-openai-considers-building-its-own-web-browser-to-challenge-googles-search-monopoly-following-doj-push-to-break-up-chrome-dominance">development of its own web browser</a> to challenge Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) subsidiary Google&#8217;s Chrome browser, following a push from the U.S. Department of Justice to divest it.
Price Action: Currently, Alibaba shares are up 0.27% to $86.82 in pre-market trading on Friday, following a 1.66% rise to $86.59 during Wednesday&#8217;s regular session, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Alibaba's New AI Model Outperforms OpenAI's o1 In Specific Benchmarks, Now Available For Free Download

OpenAI enables employees to sell up to $1.5 billion worth of shares in a tender offer led by SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>). 
What Happened: The transaction, set to close by Dec 24, allows SoftBank to deepen its stake in the AI leader while offering liquidity to current and former employees, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/26/openai-gets-1point5-billion-investment-from-softbank-in-tender-offer.html">reported</a> CNBC, citing people familiar with the matter.
The deal, priced at $210 per share, aligns with OpenAI&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41149788/openai-valuation-soars-to-157b-in-latest-funding-round">recent $157 billion valuation</a>. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son drove the move, following a $500 million investment in OpenAI's last funding round. This marks another step in Son's aggressive AI strategy, with SoftBank's Vision Fund 2 also backing startups like Glean and Perplexity.
OpenAI, backed by $13 billion in funding from investors including Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), has emphasized the importance of such tender offers amid a dormant IPO market. 
This initiative reflects the company&#8217;s commitment to employee satisfaction and continued capital-raising to sustain its growth in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41312615/investors-pour-billions-into-openai-whats-driving-this-unprecedented-surge-in-funding">competitive generative AI market</a>.
SoftBank and OpenAI did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Over the week, the tech world buzzed with significant developments. From potential policy shifts affecting Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) suppliers to Japan&#8217;s leap into the AI industrial revolution, the landscape is changing rapidly. Here&#8217;s a quick roundup of the top stories.
Nvidia, Apple Suppliers Brace for Policy Changes
Key suppliers for Nvidia and Apple, including Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HNHPF#OTC">HNHPF</a>), also known as Foxconn, Pegatron Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGTRF#OTC">PGTRF</a>), and Quanta Computer (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUCCF#OTC">QUCCF</a>), are gearing up for a potential surge in U.S. investments amid potential trade policy shifts under a possible second term for Donald Trump.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42001994/nvidia-and-apple-suppliers-brace-for-trumps-return-foxconn-pegatron-quanta-ready-for-rapid-us-investment-surge-amid-trade-policy-shifts">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia and SoftBank&#8217;s AI Supercomputer in Japan
In a significant move towards becoming a global AI powerhouse, Nvidia and SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) announced a partnership to establish Japan&#8217;s most powerful AI supercomputer. The collaboration, unveiled at the Nvidia AI Summit Japan, will leverage Nvidia&#8217;s advanced Blackwell platform.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41929194/nvidia-and-softbank-to-build-japans-top-ai-supercomputer-on-blackwell-platform-jensen-huang-says-tokyo-is-leaping-into-the-ai-industrial-revolution">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41927913/amazon-confirms-vendor-data-breach-affecting-2-8m-employee-contacts-adds-to-growing-list-of-moveit-hack-victims?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Confirms Vendor Data Breach Affecting 2.8M+ Employee Contacts, Adds To Growing List Of MOVEit Hack</a>
AMD&#8217;s Workforce Cut Amid AI Chip Development Shift
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) has reportedly decided to lay off approximately 1,000 employees, representing 4% of its global workforce. The move is part of AMD&#8217;s strategic shift towards AI chip development to compete with Nvidia in the data center chip market.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41961230/amd-plans-to-cut-4-of-workforce-amid-strategic-shift-toward-ai-chip-development-to-rival-jensen-huang-led-nvidias-dominance-report">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia&#8217;s Blackwell Chip Revenue Forecast
Ahead of Nvidia&#8217;s third-quarter results announcement next week, Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore has previewed the company&#8217;s outlook. Despite supply constraints on new products, Moore predicts several billion in revenue from Blackwell chips alone in the January quarter, with a more precise figure of between $5 billion and $6 billion.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41883803/nvidias-blackwell-chip-revenue-could-hit-6-billion-next-quarter-analyst">Read the full article here.</a>
AI Capabilities Plateau, Say Andreessen Horowitz Founders
The founders of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz have noted a plateau in artificial intelligence capabilities, citing data shortages and computational limitations as key barriers. This observation aligns with recent statements from Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI and Safe Superintelligence (SSI), who acknowledged that results from traditional AI scaling approaches have plateaued.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41932289/ai-capabilities-plateauing-say-andreessen-horowitz-founders-echoing-concerns-of-openai-co-founder-ilya-sutskever">Read the full article here.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

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Nvidia, Apple Suppliers Prepare For Policy Shifts, Japan's AI Leap, And AMD's Workforce Cut: This Week In AI

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SoftBank&#8217;s Masayoshi Son recently shared a few laughs and some bittersweet memories at the AI Summit in Tokyo. At the center of their banter? SoftBank&#8217;s former role as Nvidia&#8217;s largest shareholder – and how they decided to let that golden opportunity slip away.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Billionaires Jensen Huang and Masayoshi Son joke about how SoftBank was once Nvidia&#39;s largest shareholder — before dumping its stake. The two are now joining forces on an AI supercomputer <a href="https://t.co/UjUIVaCinN">https://t.co/UjUIVaCinN</a> <a href="https://t.co/rfd1p1yKB0">pic.twitter.com/rfd1p1yKB0</a>
&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href="https://twitter.com/business/status/1856563439331618846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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In 2019, SoftBank (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) sold all of its Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares, which comprised about 4.9% of the company. It seemed like a solid move back then: they had invested around $700 million and ended up making $3.3 billion from the sale. But now, Son admits the decision wasn&#8217;t exactly a home run. Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/06/39489510/the-150-billion-opportunity-softbank-lost-by-selling-nvidia-shares-too-soon">those shares would be worth over $150 billion</a>.
During their talk, Huang jokingly said, &#8220;We can cry together,&#8221; hugging Son on stage as they remembered what might have been. Son, not missing a beat, added that he had to &#8220;tearfully&#8221; sell those shares. Huang even shared that Son once offered him financial backing to buy Nvidia outright – something he now wishes he'd taken. &#8220;That was a great idea,&#8221; Huang said, with a hint of regret.
Trending: ‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2"> invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share</a>
Huang praised Son for being a visionary who has consistently backed winning innovators like Bill Gates, Jerry Yang and Steve Jobs. Son has a talent for recognizing big opportunities and helping establish major tech moments, from bringing Gates and Jobs to Japan to making Alibaba&#8217;s success possible in China. Yet, even with all those successes, the missed Nvidia chance still stings.
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA">Nvidia is worth $3.6 trillion</a> and is the world&#8217;s most valuable company, ahead of tech giants like Apple and Microsoft. Its value has skyrocketed thanks to the AI boom, with its chips playing a crucial role in powering AI technologies across the globe. Nvidia&#8217;s stock has surged 2,768% in the last five years, putting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41882908/640416">Jensen Huang&#8217;s net worth</a> at a staggering $127 billion.
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SoftBank, meanwhile, remains heavily invested in the future of AI. Son has made it clear that he&#8217;s not done yet. He recently mentioned that his true purpose might be to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41181374/softbanks-masayoshi-son-predicts-artificial-superintelligence-within-a-decade-after-testing-openais">bring about artificial superintelligence (ASI) – </a>a form of AI that could be 10,000 times smarter than humans. His belief in the power of AI and its ability to solve global problems, from diseases to natural disasters, keeps driving him forward.
Despite the missed opportunity with Nvidia, SoftBank is moving ahead at full throttle. Son and Huang recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41929194/nvidia-and-softbank-to-build-japans-top-ai-supercomputer-on-blackwell-platform-jensen-huang-says-tokyo-is-leaping-into-the-ai-industrial-revolution">announced a partnership</a> to build Japan&#8217;s most powerful AI supercomputer using Nvidia&#8217;s latest Blackwell chips. The goal? To establish Japan as a major player in AI, with applications that could transform industries like telecommunications, health care and transportation.
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Must See: Billionaires Jensen Huang And Masayoshi Son Joke About SoftBank's Past As Nvidia's Largest Shareholder – Before Dumping Its Stake

NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang on Wednesday said that he passed on an opportunity to acquire full ownership of the chipmaker, now valued at $3.6 trillion when SoftBank Group&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) Masayoshi Son offered financial backing years ago.
What Happened: During a candid exchange at Nvidia&#8217;s AI summit in Tokyo, Huang revealed that Son approached him about a decade ago with an offer to help finance a complete buyout of Nvidia, believing the stock market undervalued the company at the time.
&#8220;Now I regret not taking you up,&#8221; Huang told Son during their public conversation. &#8220;That was a great idea.&#8221;
The conversation took a lighter turn when Son playfully pretended to cry on Huang&#8217;s shoulder after discussing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39429393/regret-missing-out-on-nvidia-rally-youre-not-alone-as-softbanks-masayoshi-son-laments-157b-lost-">SoftBank&#8217;s early exit from Nvidia investments</a>. &#8220;We can cry together,&#8221; Huang joked. &#8220;Could you imagine if today, you were the largest shareholder?&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41960833/cathie-wood-cashes-out-on-rocket-labs-28-surge-in-9m-share-sale-but-expands-bet-on-flying-cars">Cathie Wood Cashes Out On Rocket Lab&#8217;s 28% Surge in $9M Share Sale But Expands Bet On Flying Cars</a>
Why It Matters: Nvidia&#8217;s remarkable ascent has been fueled by the artificial intelligence boom, with the company&#8217;s chips playing a crucial role in powering AI technologies. The company&#8217;s stock has surged nearly 200% this year alone, propelling Huang&#8217;s net worth to $128 billion and making him the 11th richest person globally, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The discussion preceded the announcement of a new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41929194/nvidia-and-softbank-to-build-japans-top-ai-supercomputer-on-blackwell-platform-jensen-huang-says-tokyo-is-leaping-into-the-ai-industrial-revolution">partnership between Nvidia and SoftBank</a> to develop Japan&#8217;s most powerful AI supercomputer, marking a significant development in Japan&#8217;s AI infrastructure expansion.
Son, who ranks 133rd on Bloomberg&#8217;s wealth index with a $15.9 billion fortune, has seen his wealth increase by more than $5 billion this year, though that pales in comparison to what might have been had SoftBank retained its earlier Nvidia investments.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41961054/softbank-returns-to-profit-driven-by-indian-ipos-whats-next-for-masayoshi-son">SoftBank Is In Profit Once Again Thanks To Indian IPOs: What&#8217;s Next For Masayoshi Son?</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Nvidia's CEO Reveals The Massive Deal He Missed And Why It Is Today A $3.6 Trillion Regret

SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) has made a significant financial turnaround, reporting a profit of $7.8 billion in its latest quarter, largely attributed to successful Indian <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41929194/nvidia-and-softbank-to-build-japans-top-ai-supercomputer-on-blackwell-platform-jensen-huang-says-tokyo-is-leaping-into-the-ai-industrial-revolution">IPOs and improved tech valuations</a>.
What Happened: The Japanese conglomerate&#8217;s profit in the quarter ending September starkly contrasts the $6.05 billion loss in the same period last year, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/a86569e7-8743-4474-a6a8-13a3f30085e3">reported</a> the Financial Times.
The Vision Fund, known for its high-risk, tech-heavy investments, contributed to this turnaround with a $3.95 billion profit. This is the first time in nine quarters that the Vision Fund&#8217;s cumulative investment gains have turned positive.
Notable IPOs in India, including those of Ola Electric and FirstCry, have significantly boosted SoftBank&#8217;s valuations. The company&#8217;s CFO, Yoshimitsu Goto, highlighted the positive impact of these IPOs, which lifted valuations by $1.7 billion.
Other factors contributing to SoftBank&#8217;s improved financial position include valuation gains at Coupang in South Korea and DiDi in China, as well as a favorable impact on net income from the weak yen.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41890968/bitcoin-kisses-89500-ethereum-dogecoin-extend-trump-victory-rally-how-long-before-btc-hits-100000-analysts-reveal?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Hovers Around $90K, Ethereum, Dogecoin Extend Trump Victory Rally: How Long Before BTC Hits $100,000? Analysts Reveal</a>
Why It Matters: SoftBank&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40387488/masayoshi-sons-plans-to-rival-nvidia-with-softbanks-own-ai-chip-production-hit-a-roadblock-as-intel">interest in AI</a> has been a recurring theme, with CEO Masayoshi Son predicting the advent of artificial superintelligence within a decade.
More recently, SoftBank has been in the news for its plans to rival Nvidia with its own AI chip production. However, these plans hit a roadblock as negotiations with Intel <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40387488/masayoshi-sons-plans-to-rival-nvidia-with-softbanks-own-ai-chip-production-hit-a-roadblock-as-intel">reportedly fell through</a>. This latest financial success may provide SoftBank with the resources to further pursue its AI ambitions.
In August, SoftBank <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/08/40213337/masayoshi-sons-softbank-announces-3-4b-share-buyback-as-vision-fund-tech-arm-yields-investment-gains">announced a $3.4 billion share buyback program</a>, following pressure from concerned shareholders. 
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Asia

SoftBank Is In Profit Once Again Thanks To Indian IPOs: What's Next For Masayoshi Son?

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) announced a partnership on Tuesday to establish Japan&#8217;s most powerful artificial intelligence supercomputer, marking a significant step in the country&#8217;s push to become a global AI powerhouse.
What Happened: The collaboration unveiled at the Nvidia AI Summit Japan, centers on SoftBank&#8217;s implementation of Nvidia&#8217;s advanced Blackwell platform and plans to utilize the Nvidia Grace Blackwell platform for future supercomputing initiatives.
&#8220;Japan has a long history of pioneering technological innovations with global impact,&#8221; said Jensen Huang, Nvidia&#8217;s founder and CEO. &#8220;With SoftBank&#8217;s significant investment in Nvidia&#8217;s full-stack AI, Omniverse and 5G AI-RAN platforms, Japan is leaping into the AI industrial revolution.&#8221;
SoftBank has successfully piloted the world&#8217;s first combined AI and 5G telecom network using Nvidia&#8217;s AI Aerial platform. This innovation could potentially generate billions in new revenue for global telecom operators by transforming base stations from cost centers into AI revenue-producing assets.
&#8220;Countries and regions worldwide are accelerating the adoption of AI for social and economic growth,&#8221; said Junichi Miyakawa, SoftBank&#8217;s president and CEO. &#8220;Through our long collaboration with Nvidia, SoftBank is leading this transformation from the forefront.&#8221;
The partnership includes several key initiatives:
<ul>
<li>SoftBank will receive the world&#8217;s first Nvidia DGX B200 systems for its new DGX SuperPOD supercomputer</li>
<li>Development of an AI marketplace using Nvidia AI Enterprise software</li>
<li>Implementation of Nvidia&#8217;s AI-RAN solution, which SoftBank estimates can reduce power consumption by 40% compared to traditional 5G infrastructure</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41927135/greg-brockman-returns-to-work-at-chatgpts-parent-company-back-to-building-openai">Greg Brockman Returns To Work At ChatGPT&#8217;s Parent Company: &#8216;Back To Building OpenAI&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The collaboration represents a strategic shift for both companies, with SoftBank estimating potential returns of up to 219% for each AI-RAN server added to its infrastructure. The company plans to begin global deployment of its AI-RAN solution, dubbed &#8220;AITRAS,&#8221; in 2026.
This partnership follows SoftBank&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39743441/after-losing-150b-nvidia-opportunity-masayoshi-sons-softbank-acquires-uk-chipmaker-graphcore-in-">recent moves in the AI sector</a>, including its $960 million investment commitment for developing Japanese-language AI models and its acquisition of UK-based chipmaker Graphcore.
The initiative is expected to accelerate Japan&#8217;s position in the global AI race while providing new opportunities for telecommunications, transportation, robotics, and healthcare industries.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Nvidia And SoftBank To Build Japan's Top AI Supercomputer On Blackwell Platform — Jensen Huang Says Tokyo Is 'Leaping Into The AI Industrial Revolution'

In a bid to restructure its operations, Jellysmack, a SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>)-backed creator-economy startup, is laying off employees and reducing its creator program.
What Happened: Jellysmack is undergoing a reorganization and will be downsizing its workforce, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jellysmack-is-laying-off-staff-as-it-scales-back-its-creator-program/articleshow/114434680.cms">reported</a> Business Insider. The company has confirmed that 22 U.S.-based employees will be affected, with French employees also facing potential layoffs in the coming months.
The company is shifting its focus to its content business, which includes YouTube channels like Gamology, House of Bounce, Beauty Studio, and Oh My Goal. It is scaling back a program that helped creators earn money by posting content on Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)-owned apps like Facebook.
&#8220;Jellysmack is making organizational adjustments to better align resources with key areas of growth,&#8221; a company representative said according to the report. &#8220;Jellysmack&#8217;s goal is to prioritize and invest in our business units that hold IP, given their continued success on YouTube.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41420488/shiba-inu-ready-for-a-lift-off-to-the-moon-popular-analyst-predicts-50-surge-for-memecoin-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu Ready For A Lift-Off To The Moon? Popular Analyst Predicts 50% Surge For Memecoin As Burn Rate Spikes 389%</a>
This move comes after Jellysmack faced challenges in its business, including a decrease in monetization across platforms. The company, which initially focused on creating its own YouTube content, shifted to working with other creators to edit and recirculate their content across platforms like Facebook and Snap Inc&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) Snapchat to capture additional ad revenue.
Why It Matters: Jellysmack&#8217;s decision to restructure its operations and focus on its content business comes at a time when the creator economy is undergoing significant changes. Meta Platforms Inc. has also been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41375934/meta-confirms-layoffs-across-instagram-whatsapp-and-reality-labs-amid-strategic-reshuffle">restructuring its operations and laying off employees</a> across Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs. This is part of a broader trend of tech companies reevaluating their strategies and operations, which has been ongoing for some time.
This was part of a strategic reshuffle aimed at boosting efficiency. The company has also been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37501959/meta-employees-fear-layoffs-as-companys-year-of-efficiency-becomes-permanent-report">undergoing a prolonged process of evaluating individual employee performance for 2023</a>, with the reviews now concluding. This has left many employees anxious about their job security.
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Image Via Unsplash 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Social Media

SNAP

SoftBank-Backed Jellysmack Restructures, Lays Off Employees, And Scales Back Creator Program On Meta Platforms

Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>), has forecasted the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/09/40836225/human-like-reasoning-strawberry-ahead-aggressive-nvidia-buying-hotter-inflation-data">advent of artificial superintelligence</a> within the next ten years. This revelation was shared during the SoftBank World 2024 conference.
What Happened: Son, Japan&#8217;s second wealthiest individual, commended OpenAI for its recent technological strides. He specifically mentioned the new GPT-o1 models, codenamed &#8220;Strawberry,&#8221; which he believes have developed reasoning capabilities, <a href="https://observer.com/2024/10/softbank-masayoshi-son-ai-openai-investment/">reported</a> the Observer on Friday. 
"This technology will evolve to a point&nbsp;where your happiness will be its greatest reward," said Son. He claimed that ASI, which would be 10,000 times more powerful than human intelligence, could be achieved within a decade.
Son envisions a future where AI can perform everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping and investment management, ultimately enhancing human happiness. His optimistic outlook is consistent with his history of making bold tech investments.
Looking forward, Son anticipates the achievement of artificial general intelligence, which matches human intelligence, within two to three years. 
He also predicts artificial superintelligence, surpassing human capabilities, within a decade. SoftBank&#8217;s AI strategy is centered around ARM Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>), a U.K.-based chip designer, with plans to expand into AI chips, data centers, and industrial robots.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41020589/tech-youtuber-mkbhd-responds-after-facing-massive-backlash-over-his-new-12-a-month-wallpaper-app?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech YouTuber MKBHD Responds After Facing Massive Backlash Over His New $12 A Month Wallpaper App</a>
Why It Matters: Son&#8217;s prediction comes amid <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/09/40836225/human-like-reasoning-strawberry-ahead-aggressive-nvidia-buying-hotter-inflation-data">growing interest</a> in A.I. advancements, particularly with OpenAI&#8217;s &#8220;Strawberry&#8221; models. These models are noted for their human-like reasoning capabilities, which could revolutionize various industries.
However, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40387488/masayoshi-sons-plans-to-rival-nvidia-with-softbanks-own-ai-chip-production-hit-a-roadblock-as-intel">SoftBank&#8217;s ambitions</a> to rival NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) in A.I. chip production reportedly faced setbacks when talks with Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) fell through. Despite this, SoftBank is exploring partnerships with other manufacturers like Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
Additionally, Son&#8217;s focus on AI aligns with Sam Altman&#8216;s commitment to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38608040/openais-sam-altman-says-were-making-agi-and-it-will-be-worth-it-dont-care-if-we-burn-500m-or-50b">developing artificial general intelligence</a>, regardless of the financial cost. This shared vision underscores the significant investments and strategic shifts occurring in the A.I. sector.
Interestingly, SoftBank&#8217;s past decision to sell its Nvidia shares in 2019 resulted in a missed opportunity, as those shares would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/06/39489510/the-150-billion-opportunity-softbank-lost-by-selling-nvidia-shares-too-soon">now be approximately worth over $150 billion</a>. This highlights the high stakes and rapid evolution of the AI and tech investment landscape.
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Image Via Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

INTC

SoftBank's Masayoshi Son Predicts Artificial Superintelligence Within A Decade After Testing OpenAI's 'Strawberry' Models

Masayoshi Son-led SoftBank Group Corporation (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>)&nbsp;has reportedly re-committed to a $500 million investment in ChatGPT-parent&nbsp;OpenAI.
What Happened: This investment forms part of a larger $6.5 billion funding round, catapulting OpenAI&#8217;s valuation to a staggering $150 billion, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/b1efdc2a-4dbc-40cc-920e-2cf389d261e8">reported</a> Financial Times, citing two people with knowledge of the deal.
The investment will be made through SoftBank&#8217;s second Vision Fund, primarily backed by the personal wealth of the company&#8217;s leader, Son.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41087674/openais-searchgpt-set-to-disrupt-googles-search-empire-as-former-engineer-sounds-alarm-on-deteriorat?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI&#8217;s SearchGPT Set To Disrupt Google&#8217;s Search Empire As Former Engineer Sounds Alarm On Deteriorating User Experience Amid Rising Competition</a>
This move will add SoftBank to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40636153/apple-in-talks-to-invest-in-openai-as-chatgpt-makers-valuation-climbs-to-100b-report">list of existing investors</a>, which includes Thrive Capital and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
Despite the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41059344/sam-altman-hits-back-at-trolls-after-mira-muratis-openai-exit-explains-executive-drain-as-natural-we">high-profile departures</a> from OpenAI and potential corporate restructuring, investors remain optimistic about the company&#8217;s ability to push the boundaries&nbsp;of AI technology, the report noted.
They are&nbsp;betting on OpenAI&#8217;s potential to outperform big tech rivals like&nbsp;Google and Meta, as well&nbsp;as startups&nbsp;such as Anthropic and Mistral.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Son has previously referred to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34682813/softbanks-masayoshi-son-is-chatgpt-heavy-user-explores-investing-in-openai-after-bumper-arm-ipo">himself as an avid user</a> of OpenAI's chat service and has formed a strong connection with the company's CEO, Sam Altman.
He considers Altman to be one of the most influential figures in the world and has said that they communicate daily. 
SoftBank already works with OpenAI in Japan, helping local businesses create advanced chatbots.
Last month, Apple design legend Sir Jony Ive also confirmed his collaboration with OpenAI on a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40973399/apples-former-design-maestro-jony-ive-confirms-hes-joined-forces-with-openais-sam-altman-for-a-new-a">new AI hardware project</a>. Earlier, it was reported that Altman and Ive are seeking to secure $1 billion in funding from SoftBank for their new venture.
Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41078582/tim-cook-led-apple-reportedly-abandons-openai-funding-round-discussions-but-nvidia-and-microsoft-cou">pulled out of talks to invest</a> in OpenAI's upcoming funding round. The withdrawal occurred at the last minute, just ahead of the funding round's expected closure.
Image via ChatGPT
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

After Apple Reportedly Backed Out, SoftBank Eyes $500M Investment In ChatGPT Parent, Pushing Valuation To $150B

Struggling chipmaker Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>)&nbsp;continues to receive <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40968128/qualcomm-reportedly-eyes-potential-takeover-of-intel-amid-60-stock-decline-but-antitrust-concerns-lo" rel="noreferrer noopener">takeover proposals from</a> chip companies, the latest being Arm Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) following Qualcomm Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) proposal earlier.
Arm Holdings recently proposed to acquire Intel&#8217;s product unit. However, Bloomberg <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-27/arm-rejected-by-intel-after-approaching-it-about-buying-product-unit?sref=TBDibEcD" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> that Intel is not looking to sell the business division.
Intel stock plunged 31% as it failed to capitalize on the artificial intelligence shift, which is something that contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) excelled at.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41012678/super-micro-unveils-next-gen-servers-powered-by-intels-latest-xeon-chips" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Micro Unveils Next-Gen Servers Powered by Intel&#8217;s Latest Xeon Chips</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27091711/newplot-1-7.png" alt="" class="wp-image-569782" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27091711/newplot-1-7.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27091711/newplot-1-7-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
Meanwhile, some reports indicated Intel&#8217;s plans to convert its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40897994/whats-going-on-with-intel-stock-on-tuesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">foundry business into</a> an independent unit, including exploring a spinoff into a publicly traded company. The chipmaker also explored divesting stake in the programmable chip unit&nbsp;Altera.
However, Intel&#8217;s recent big wins included a&nbsp;U.S. chipmaking deal from&nbsp;Amazon.Com Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Amazon Web services and the U.S. Chip grant.
The chipmaker also clarified that it would not divest a majority stake in the struggling <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40941075/whats-going-on-with-autonomous-driving-stock-mobileye-thursday" rel="noreferrer noopener">Israeli autonomous driving company</a> Mobileye Global Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>), whose stock is down 66% in the last 12 months.
Intel&#8217;s exploration of stake sales to companies like Qualcomm and Arm could hinder its U.S. subsidy over antitrust grounds, the Financial Times <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/ff0ca77d-ad35-45ba-a493-201a26932efb" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
Multiple deals including Nvidia&#8217;s proposal to snap Arm Holdings from&nbsp;Softbank Group Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) and Intel&#8217;s&nbsp;Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSEM#NASDAQ">TSEM</a>) deal have succumbed to global regulatory opposition.
The semiconductor sector had a good week, buoyed by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/41046485/whats-going-on-with-nvidia-braodcom-intel-and-other-chip-stocks-on-thursday" rel="noreferrer noopener">key rate cuts</a> in the U.S. and China, an upbeat quarterly print from Micron Technology, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), and continued AI investments from Big Tech companies.
Semiconductor ETFs, Invesco Semiconductors ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSI#NYSE">PSI</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XSD#NYSE">XSD</a>), gained 5%- 7% in the last five days.
Price Action: INTC stock is down 0.04% at $23.91 at the last check on Friday.
Photo via Shutterstock

AMZN

MBLY

PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Semiconductor Portfolio

QCOM

TSEM

What's Going On With Intel Stock On Friday?

These ten mid-cap stocks were the best performers in August. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Polestar Automotive Holding (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSNY#NASDAQ">PSNY</a>) shares jumped 74.19%. It reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40629765" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strong second-quarter deliveries</a>.</li>
<li>Upstart Holdings, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>) stock escalated 67.32% after the company reported better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40322490" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected second-quarter results</a>.</li>
<li>Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUMN#NYSE">LUMN</a>) shares rocketed 58.13%. It reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40204727" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mixed second-quarter results</a>.</li>
<li>GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDS#NASDAQ">GDS</a>) shares rose 52.46%. The company reported a better-than-consensus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40487035" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter loss per share</a>.</li>
<li>Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) stock gained 51.17%. The stock got a boost from investments by Google<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40419923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> and </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40419923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SoftBank Group Corp</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40419923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> (OTCPK: SFTBF)</a>.</li>
<li>Clear Secure, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YOU#NYSE">YOU</a>) shares were up 46.81%. It reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40181525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better-than-expected quarterly results</a>.</li>
<li>Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOVA#NASDAQ">IOVA</a>) stock jumped 42.89%. The company issued upbeat guidance for 2024 and 2025 and better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40288203" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected second-quarter earnings</a>.</li>
<li>Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVH#NYSE">EVH</a>) shares escalated 42.51%. The company initiated an auction process after receiving takeover inquiries from private<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40529349" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> equity firms and healthcare providers</a>.</li>
<li>Semtech Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMTC#NASDAQ">SMTC</a>) stock rose 42.23%. It reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40587744" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter earnings beat</a>.</li>
<li>AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>) shares grew 42.07%. The company announced that it&#8217;s on track to launch five <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40398813" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellites in early September</a>.</li>
</ol>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40764288/affirm-shopify-and-starbucks-were-among-top-10-large-cap-best-performers-for-august-are-the-others" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Affirm, Shopify And Starbucks Were Among Top 10 Large Cap Best Performers For August: Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40764325/intel-moderna-and-dollar-general-were-among-top-10-large-cap-losers-in-august-are-the-others-in-yo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intel, Moderna And Dollar General Were Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers In August: Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Company

Mid Cap

Movers

ASTS

IOVA

LUMN

PSNY

SMTC

UPST

AST SpaceMobile And Polestar Automotive Are Among Top 10 Best Performing Mid-Cap Stocks in August: Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

Tempus AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), a cutting-edge healthcare diagnostics company, has been on a tear. The stock established a new high of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TEM">$47.81 on Thursday</a>.
The stock is up 17.27% since its IPO in June. The company, which went public at $37 per share, and has been riding a wave of momentum ever since. 
Over the past five days, Tempus is up about 25% — a spike largely attributed to a strategic investment from SoftBank Group Corp (OTCPK: SFTBF) (OTCBF: SFTBY).
According to SoftBank's <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065521/000106299324015034/xslForm13F_X02/primary_doc.xml">second-quarter 13F filing</a>, the investment giant added Tempus AI to its portfolio, acquiring approximately 5.41 million shares (worth approx. $189 million).
Google also backs Tempus AI.
This move, alongside SoftBank's increased stake in AI heavyweight Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), underscores the firm's bullish stance on the AI sector.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39693778/tempus-could-gain-share-in-ai-health-care-market-poised-to-grow-by-over-30">Tempus Could Gain Share In AI Health Care Market Poised To Grow By Over 30%</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bullish Signals: Tempus On The Rise</h2>
From a technical perspective, Tempus AI's stock is showing strong bullish signals.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent081624&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="627" height="456" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/16100004/Screenshot-2024-08-16-at-7.29.52-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-499058" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/16100004/Screenshot-2024-08-16-at-7.29.52-PM.png 627w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/16100004/Screenshot-2024-08-16-at-7.29.52-PM-300x218.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent081624&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Chart crated using Benzinga Pro</a>
With its share price well above key moving averages—the eight-day SMA at $42.02 and the 20-day SMA at $41.51—the stock is positioned for continued upward momentum. 
The lack of data for the 50-day and 200-day SMAs, given the stock's recent market entry, doesn't detract from the overall positive sentiment.
Investors are clearly responding to Tempus AI's potential, especially with the backing of heavyweights like Google and SoftBank. 
As the company continues to innovate and expand its AI-driven healthcare solutions, its stock could remain a hot ticket on the Nasdaq, appealing to those looking to capitalize on the AI revolution. 
The big question now is whether Tempus AI can sustain this momentum and continue to break new ground in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39697040/tempus-ai-has-massive-market-opportunity-for-this-healthcare-technology-bullish-ana">Tempus AI Has Massive Market Opportunity For This Healthcare Technology, Bullish Analyst Says</a></li>
</ul>

Long Ideas

Technicals

Trading Ideas

Tempus AI Soars To New Highs, Investments From Google And SoftBank Boost Bullish Sentiment

In a bid to challenge NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&#8217;s AI dominance, Asian startups are developing more energy-efficient and cost-effective chips for specific artificial intelligence applications.
What Happened: Asian startups are challenging Nvidia&#8217;s AI dominance by developing more energy-efficient and cost-effective chips for specific AI applications. These startups are targeting the gap in the market left by Nvidia&#8217;s high energy consumption and bulky design, <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Spotlight/Nvidia-vs.-the-startups-AI-chip-challengers-chase-efficiency">reported</a> Nikkei Asia on Friday.
These startups are focusing on two types of AI chips: &#8220;inference&#8221; chips, used to operate existing AI models, and &#8220;training&#8221; chips, high-powered data-processing components used to develop new AI models. 
While Nvidia&#8217;s GPUs continue to dominate the AI landscape, the startups believe that their GPUs&#8217; high energy consumption and bulky design leave a gap in the market that they can fill.
These startups believe that Nvidia&#8217;s GPUs, while powerful, are too energy-intensive and expensive for many applications. Preferred Networks (PFN) CEO Toru Nishikawa stated, &#8220;No one has come up with the perfect chip architecture for inference.&#8221; PFN is developing chips that aim to be more efficient and less costly than Nvidia&#8217;s offerings.
Nvidia&#8217;s GPUs are primarily used for training AI models, but their high cost and energy consumption make them impractical for devices like laptops and wearables. Analysts, including Kazuhiro Sugiyama from Omdia, believe that the demand for on-device AI will rise, encouraging new entrants to the market.
Startups such as Edgecortix, led by Sakyasingha Dasgupta, are focusing on solving issues like the &#8220;memory wall&#8221; problem to create more streamlined and energy-efficient AI chips. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to cater to the growing demand for AI in industrial applications and robotics, particularly in Asia, according to the report.
&#8220;Nvidia&#8217;s GPU is mainly suited for training, but we are seeing more newcomers developing chips which can target both training and inference,&#8221; Sugiyama said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40385244/peter-schiff-slams-july-cpi-figure-as-fraud-economist-explains-the-low-number-with-used-car-sales-nu?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Schiff Slams July CPI Figure As &#8216;Fraud,&#8217; Economist Explains The Low Number With Used Car Sales Numbers: Data Doesn&#8217;t Support A Rate Cut</a>
Other companies entering the market include U.S.-based SambaNova Systems, backed by SoftBank Group&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) Vision Fund; Tenstorrent, founded by a former Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) engineer; and the British company Graphcore, recently acquired by SoftBank. 
Big tech companies like Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Amazon.com Inc.s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Amazon Web Services are also joining in, along with Nvidia&#8217;s rival Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>).
Why It Matters: The competition between Nvidia and emerging Asian startups is heating up as the AI chip market continues to expand. Recently, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, highlighted Nvidia as a major player in the AI sector, noting that large tech companies are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40409247/former-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-highlights-nvidia-as-major-ai-player-in-now-deleted-video-thats-not-a">planning significant investments</a> in Nvidia-based AI data centers, potentially costing up to $300 billion. 
Meanwhile, SoftBank has faced setbacks in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40400105/whats-going-on-with-nvidia-stock-on-thursday">its efforts to rival</a> Nvidia with its own AI chip production. Negotiations with Intel reportedly fell through due to Intel&#8217;s inability to meet production demands, leading SoftBank to turn to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>), a key Nvidia supplier.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Nvidia AI Dominance Challenged By Asian Startups Betting On Energy-Efficient And Cost-Effective Silicon — 'Inference' And 'Training' Chips Emerge As Key Focus

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stock is trading higher Thursday amid reports indicating a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40387488/masayoshi-sons-plans-to-rival-nvidia-with-softbanks-own-ai-chip-production-hit-a-roadblock-as-intel" rel="noreferrer noopener">fallout in discussions</a> between SoftBank Group Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) and Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) over an artificial intelligence (AI) chip production.
Reportedly, Arm Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) parent SoftBank is turning to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>), a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40367565/whats-going-on-with-taiwan-semiconductor-stock-on-wednesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">key Nvidia supplier</a>.
Intel failed to meet SoftBank&#8217;s demands for volume and speed, the Financial Times <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/6b7fd8a1-7f9c-427b-8467-f911f5f0d520" rel="noreferrer noopener">cited</a> familiar sources.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40347392/apple-intel-and-amd-lead-charge-in-ai-capable-pc-market-surge-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple, Intel, And AMD Lead Charge In AI-Capable PC Market Surge: Report</a>
Intel&#8217;s financial struggles, including an April reported $7 billion operating loss in its manufacturing business and subsequent layoffs, likely compounded the difficulties in securing a deal.
While SoftBank&#8217;s pivot to Taiwan Semiconductor could still face hurdles due to the latter&#8217;s high demand from existing customers, the Japanese group remains committed to advancing its AI chip ambitions.
The overall cost of the project could run into tens of billions of dollars, with SoftBank reportedly seeking additional partners like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) to provide the necessary expertise and resources.
Nvidia&#8217;s stock has seen a volatile ride. Its selloff makes its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40366085/nvidias-rebound-rally-adds-billions-to-market-value-analysts-eye-ai-growth-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">valuation more attractive</a> as the AI frenzy is in no mood to slow down. Nvidia trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 45.05x after losing over 5% in the last 30 days.
Nvidia stock is up over 176% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>).
Price Action: NVDA shares were trading higher by 3.45% to $122.16 at the last check Thursday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by NP27 on Shutterstock

What's Going On With Nvidia Stock On Thursday?

Amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40153013/rich-dad-poor-dad-author-robert-kiyosaki-sees-market-crashes-as-opportunity-to-get-richer-">global market downturn</a> and a significant drop in its stock, Japanese investment behemoth, SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>), has reaffirmed its commitment to artificial intelligence.
What Happened: On Wednesday, SoftBank CFO, Yoshimitsu Goto, expressed the company&#8217;s steadfast belief in the transformative potential of AI, <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/SoftBank2/SoftBank-restates-faith-in-AI-amid-global-market-anxiety">reported</a> Nikkei Asia.
&#8220;We believe in AI, and believe it can change people&#8217;s lives,&#8221; Goto, said in a briefing following the announcement of Masayoshi Son-led <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/08/40213337/masayoshi-sons-softbank-announces-3-4b-share-buyback-as-vision-fund-tech-arm-yields-investment-gains">SoftBank&#8217;s earnings for the April-June</a> quarter.
Despite the market&#8217;s &#8220;high volatility,&#8221; he assured that SoftBank&#8217;s financial status remains &#8220;robust and stable.&#8221;
&#8220;Of course, the market is tough,&#8221; he stated, adding, &#8220;but our financial status is robust and stable. &#8230; There will be no change to our financial strategy for fiscal 2024.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40183808/palantir-reports-83-surge-in-commercial-customers-in-us-thanks-to-boot-camps-plans-to-continue-l?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palantir Reports 83% Surge In Commercial Customers In US Thanks To Boot Camps, Plans To Continue Leveraging The Program To Attract New Customers</a>
SoftBank&#8217;s first-quarter losses were significantly lower than the same period last year, thanks to a weak yen and increased earnings <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/24/08/40198755/arm-holdingss-options-frenzy-what-you-need-to-know">from chip designer</a> ARM Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) a company in which SoftBank holds a significant stake. 
Regarding future investments, Goto acknowledged the need for caution due to market volatility. However, he also noted that the current lower stock prices present a good investment opportunity.
SoftBank also announced a share buyback of 500 billion yen ($3.4 billion) over the next year, motivated in part by the company&#8217;s record-low share price on Monday.
Why It Matters: Goto&#8217;s optimistic remarks follow SoftBank Group&#8217;s largest single-day stock price drop since its 1998 listing. This occurred on Monday as Japan&#8217;s benchmark Nikkei Stock Average experienced its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40152271/mohamed-el-erian-grant-cardone-and-matt-weller-warn-of-deepening-global-market-selloff-as-yen-ri">worst daily sell-off in history</a>.
U.S. stocks took a downturn on Wednesday, with an initial rally fizzling out, though the decline wasn&#8217;t as drastic as the recent turbulent swings seen in global markets.
The S&amp;P 500 fell by 0.8% after an early surge of 1.7% lost momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite decreased by 1%.
The market&#8217;s decline was influenced by Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), a major player on Wall Street, which shifted from a 4.4% morning gain to a 5.1% loss, heavily weighing down the S&amp;P 500. 
At the time of writing, Nvidia stocks were down 1.31% at $97.65, during the after-hours session.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Masayoshi Son-Led SoftBank Firm On AI Investment Amid Market Turmoil: 'There Will Be No Change To Our Financial Strategy For Fiscal 2024'

The Japanese stock market significantly recovered on Tuesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40152271/mohamed-el-erian-grant-cardone-and-matt-weller-warn-of-deepening-global-market-selloff-as-yen-ri">following a historic plunge</a>, with other Asia-Pacific markets also showing signs of improvement.
What Happened: The Nikkei 225 and the broad-based Topix in Japan experienced a gain of nearly 10%. This recovery comes after the previous session, which saw the largest loss since the 1987 Black Monday crash.
At the time of writing, the Nikkei was up 8.74%, trading at 34,206.99, while the broader Topix rose 8.81%, reaching 2,423.29.
Japan&#8217;s service-sector activity rebounded in July due to strong domestic demand, as revealed by a survey on Monday. The final au Jibun Bank Service Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index (PMI) increased to 53.7 last month, up from 49.4 in June, which marked the first contraction in 21 months. Japan&#8217;s jobless rate decreased to 2.5% in June from the previous month.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40160572/donald-trump-blames-kamala-harris-for-global-market-crash-says-were-heading-towards-world-war-iii?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump Blames Kamala Harris For Global Market Crash, Says &#8216;We Are Heading To World War III&#8217;</a>
Additionally, real wages grew by 1.1% in June, marking the first increase in 27 months following a revised 1.3% decline in May, according to data from the labor ministry released on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
The yen also weakened by over 1% against the U.S. dollar. This rebound was seen across various sectors, with Japan&#8217;s heavyweight trading houses witnessing a rise of over 8%. Marubeni (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARUY#OTC">MARUY</a>) saw a surge of over 14%, while SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) jumped over 11%.
Oil prices also saw an uptick, with Brent crude rising by 1.65% to $77.56 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increasing by 1.86% to $74.30.
S&amp;P 500 Futures climbed 1.40% to 5,288.50 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures advanced 1.88% to 18,351.50 points. Meanwhile, Dow Jones Futures increased 0.87% to 39,187 points on Monday, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Midjourney
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

MARUY

Japan Markets, US Futures Recover After Historic Plunge, Supported Amid Strong Service Sector And Employment Data From Tokyo

ARM Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) shares are trading higher after Morgan Stanley analyst Lee Simpson upgraded the stock from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Equal-Weight to Overweight</a> and raised its price target from $107 to $190.
The upgrade comes as the broader semiconductor sector has seen a selloff this week following Donald Trump&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39857131/ai-chip-stocks-nvidia-amd-taiwan-semi-saw-a-selloff-this-week-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">verbal attack against</a> contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and the U.S.&#8217;s plans to intensify advanced semiconductor sanctions against China.
AI chip stocks led by Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) lost 9% and 18% this week.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39135597/why-is-arm-holdings-stock-trading-higher-on-monday" rel="noreferrer noopener">At the Computex forum</a> in Taipei, Arm CEO Rene Haas said he expects 100 billion Arm devices worldwide to be AI-ready by the end of 2025.
Arm Holdings plans to showcase its AI chip in 2025 and launch it commercially by fall 2025. Parent company Softbank Group Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) aims to invest significantly in data centers using its AI chips and renewable energy.
AMD CFO Jean Hu recently suggested a potential entry into next-generation AI PCs.
Analysts remain optimistic about Arm Holdings, citing strong licensing interest and royalty potential as essential growth factors. They also highlight Arm&#8217;s opportunities in the AI and data center sectors.
Arm Holdings stock rose by 158% over the past 12 months as AI <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39387100/whats-going-on-with-chipmaker-arm-holdings-stock" rel="noreferrer noopener">integrated into smartphones</a>. The ARM (Acorn RISC Machine) architecture powers 99% of the world&#8217;s smartphone CPU cores. Apple, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is one of Arm&#8217;s major customers.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19120052/newplot-1-9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-446149" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19120052/newplot-1-9.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19120052/newplot-1-9-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
Arm&#8217;s clients choose the company over Intel Corp&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) x86 technology primarily for its efficiency and widespread adoption. Arm&#8217;s architecture enables chips to consume less power compared to x86, making it ideal for mobile devices and other power-sensitive applications, CNBC <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/09/how-arm-gained-chip-dominance-with-apple-nvidia-amazon-and-qualcomm.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> in 2023.
Key clients like Apple, Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) leverage Arm&#8217;s technology to build custom silicon tailored to their specific needs.
ARM Holdings has a consensus price target of&nbsp;$112.17 based on the ratings of&nbsp;25 analysts.
ARM Price Action: Arm shares traded higher by 3.47% at $163.83 at the last check on Friday.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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The artificial intelligence company Skild AI has secured a substantial $300 million in Series A funding. This investment round was led by Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos and SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>), led by Masayoshi Son, among others, and is aimed at developing a &#8220;general-purpose brain&#8221; for AI systems.
What Happened: Skild AI, a spinout from Carnegie Mellon, recently emerged from stealth mode to announce the successful completion of its Series A funding round, the company <a href="https://www.skild.ai/blogs/announcing-our-300m-series-a">announced</a> last week. The company is focused on creating an AI system that can be retrofitted into various machines and robotics devices.
The funding, which was raised at a valuation of $1.5 billion, was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Coatue, SoftBank Group, and Bezos through Bezos Expeditions. It also saw participation from Felicis Ventures, Sequoia, Menlo Ventures, General Catalyst, CRV, Amazon, SV Angel, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Skild AI is the latest entrant in the AI space with the ambitious goal of developing an &#8220;artificial general intelligence.&#8221; 
Skild AI&#8217;s long-term objective is to create a modular artificial &#8220;brain&#8221; that can be retrofitted for use in any compatible housing. The company&#8217;s roadmap and partnerships were not disclosed in the Series A funding announcement.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39762636/microsofts-1-5b-investment-under-scrutiny-alibaba-showcases-ai-breakthroughs-in-shanghai-and-more-th?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft&#8217;s $1.5B Investment Under Scrutiny, Alibaba Showcases AI Breakthroughs In Shanghai And More: This Week In Artificial Intelligence</a>
Why It Matters: Bezos&#8217;s involvement in Skild AI comes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/07/39621460/jeff-bezos-to-sell-5-billion-in-amazon-shares-could-he-be-raising-cash-for-seattle-seahawks-purcha">after he sold $5 billion</a> in Amazon shares earlier this year. This move had sparked speculation about his financial strategies, including a potential purchase of the Seattle Seahawks. Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon&#8217;s CEO in 2021, continues to shape the tech landscape through strategic investments and his role as executive chair.
Meanwhile, SoftBank has been aggressively expanding its AI portfolio. Recently, SoftBank acquired UK chipmaker Graphcore to strengthen its AI capabilities. This acquisition aligns with SoftBank&#8217;s broader strategy to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39743441/after-losing-150b-nvidia-opportunity-masayoshi-sons-softbank-acquires-uk-chipmaker-graphcore-in-">invest in foundational AI technologies</a>, including semiconductors and systems.
Amazon&#8217;s increasing reliance on robotics further underscores the significance of Skild AI&#8217;s mission. The e-commerce giant has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38202793/amazon-grows-to-over-750-000-robots-as-worlds-second-largest-private-employer-replaces-over-100-000">deployed over 750,000 robots</a>, replacing more than 100,000 human jobs. These robots, such as Sequoia and Digit, enhance efficiency and safety, highlighting the growing role of AI in operational processes.
Additionally, the broader AI landscape is witnessing ambitious predictions. Emad Mostaque, co-founder of Stability AI, recently forecasted that China would lead in robot adoption, with Elon Musk echoing that robots will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39721449/elon-musk-repeats-old-prediction-after-stability-ai-founder-predicts-china-will-be-first-nation-with">eventually outnumber humans</a>. 
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

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