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SoftBank Group Corp. (JP:9984)
:9984

SoftBank Group (9984) AI Stock Analysis

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SoftBank Group

(OTC:9984)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
¥9,485.00
▼(-3.51%Downside)
SoftBank Group's strong technical analysis and reasonable valuation are key positives, supporting a positive stock outlook. However, the financial performance is mixed due to high leverage and cash flow challenges, which slightly dampen the overall score.
Positive Factors
AI Investment
AI-related investment could take off in earnest in Japan, benefiting AI infrastructure-related industries.
Earnings
SBG's Q4 net income of ¥517 billion was significantly boosted by investment income and fair value increase in T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom.
Negative Factors
Debt Management
Net Debt/Equity stands at approximately 17%, which is higher than the company's estimate of 12%.
Investment Loss
Since inception, SVF 1&2 have cumulatively returned a loss of $0.6 billion on a total investment of $145 billion.

SoftBank Group (9984) vs. iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)

SoftBank Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSoftBank Group Corp. provides telecommunication services in Japan and internationally. It operates through five segments: Investment Business of Holding Companies, SoftBank Vision Funds, SoftBank, Arm, and Latin America Funds. The company offers mobile communications, broadband, and fixed-line communications services; and sells mobile devices. It is also involved in the internet advertising marketing, online advertising distribution, and e-book distribution services; planning and operation of fashion e-commerce website; mail-order sale of stationery and services; and design and development of mobile robots. In addition, the company designs microprocessor intellectual property and related technology; sells software tools; and generates, supplies, and sells electricity from renewable energy sources, as well as offers related services. Further, it provides alternative investment management, smartphone payment, PC software downloads, and banking services, as well as solutions and services for online businesses; distributes video, voice, and data content; manufactures, distributes, and sells IT-related products, as well as IT-related services; and manages funds. Additionally, the company operates a professional baseball team; and ITmedia, an IT information site, as well as manages and maintains baseball stadium and other sports facilities. It also plans and operates ZOZOTOWN, ZOZO, and ZOZOBASE websites. The company was formerly known as SoftBank Corp. and changed its name to SoftBank Group Corp. in July 2015. SoftBank Group Corp. was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
How the Company Makes MoneySoftBank Group makes money primarily through its telecommunications operations and investment activities. The company generates revenue from its mobile and broadband services, which serve millions of customers in Japan. Additionally, SoftBank's earnings are significantly bolstered by its investment portfolio, particularly through the SoftBank Vision Fund and its successor funds, which invest in technology companies worldwide. Returns from these investments, including capital gains and dividends, form a substantial part of SoftBank's income. The company also engages in strategic partnerships and collaborations that enhance its investment opportunities and market presence, further contributing to its financial performance.

SoftBank Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 13, 2025
(Q2-2024)
|
% Change Since: 30.94%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presents a mixed sentiment. While there are significant achievements such as the successful ARM IPO and improvements in Vision Fund performance, these are overshadowed by substantial net income losses and the financial impact of WeWork's bankruptcy. The persistence of the SoftBank discount also indicates market skepticism.
Q2-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful ARM IPO
ARM's IPO was the biggest event for SoftBank Group, with a market cap of $52 billion upon listing. The share price has remained robust, exceeding the listing price, indicating a successful launch as a public company.
Improvements in Vision Fund Performance
Vision Fund recorded a positive JPY 232 million in gain and loss on investments for Q2 2023, indicating an improvement from previous losses. Vision Fund 1 has made a good investment return, with $104 billion returned on $90 billion invested.
Increase in Net Asset Value
SoftBank's net asset value increased by JPY 1 trillion, reaching JPY 16.4 trillion, demonstrating financial health and growth potential.
Strategic AI Investments
SoftBank is increasing its investments in AI, with a total of $1.5 billion invested in the second quarter, showing a strategic shift towards AI-driven companies.
Negative Updates
Significant Net Income Loss
SoftBank reported a net income loss of JPY 1.4 trillion for the six-month period, continuing a trend of negative figures year-on-year.
WeWork Bankruptcy Impact
WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to a cumulative loss of $14.3 billion for SoftBank, highlighting challenges in investment decisions.
SoftBank Discount Persists
SoftBank's share price remains significantly lower than its net asset value per share, indicating ongoing investor skepticism and a need for strategic clarity.
Company Guidance
During the SoftBank Group Corp's earnings call for the six-month period ended September 30, 2023, several key metrics were highlighted. The IPO of ARM was a major event, with a market cap of $52 billion and 10% of shares offered to the market, equating to approximately JPY 600-700 billion. The investment in ARM showed a MOIC of 3.2x. Despite a negative net income of JPY 1.4 trillion, the net asset value increased by JPY 1 trillion, reaching JPY 16.4 trillion. The company's cash position was strong at JPY 5.1 trillion, and the loan-to-value ratio remained at a safe level of 10%. Vision Fund 1 showed improvement with a negative JPY 583 billion, compared to negative JPY 4.3 trillion in the previous year. ARM's quarterly revenue guidance ranged between $2.96 trillion and $3.08 trillion, with a 92% year-on-year increase in non-GAAP operating profit. The discussion also included the impact of AI investments, with a combined total of $1.5 billion in the second quarter, reflecting a strategic focus on AI-driven companies.

SoftBank Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
SoftBank Group's financials show strong revenue growth and improved profit margins, indicating operational efficiency. However, high leverage and inconsistent cash flow generation present financial challenges. Improvements are needed in stabilizing earnings and enhancing cash flow efficiency.
Income Statement
65
Positive
SoftBank Group demonstrated a strong revenue growth trajectory, with a 7.2% increase from 2024 to 2025. The gross profit margin is healthy at 51.8%, indicating effective cost management. However, the net profit margin is volatile, transitioning from a significant loss in 2024 to profitability in 2025, suggesting potential instability in earnings. The EBIT and EBITDA margins improved, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a high debt-to-equity ratio, suggesting significant leverage, which poses potential financial risks. However, the return on equity is robust at 9.98%, indicating effective utilization of shareholder funds. The equity ratio is moderate at 25.7%, showcasing a balanced capital structure, though improvements could reduce financial vulnerability.
Cash Flow
52
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals a decline in free cash flow, underscoring challenges in generating cash. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low, indicating discrepancies between reported earnings and cash generation. Despite these challenges, the company managed to maintain positive operating cash flow, showing resilience in operational activities.
BreakdownMar 2025Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue7.24T6.76T6.57T6.22T5.63T
Gross Profit3.75T3.54T3.33T3.27T2.87T
EBITDA1.60T1.47T980.26B365.37B6.21T
Net Income1.15T-227.65B-970.14B-1.71T4.99T
Balance Sheet
Total Assets45.01T46.72T43.94T47.54T45.75T
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.71T6.19T7.30T6.09T7.80T
Total Debt18.91T21.36T20.32T22.32T19.55T
Total Liabilities31.06T33.49T33.29T35.84T33.79T
Stockholders Equity11.56T11.16T9.03T9.98T10.21T
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-650.59B-372.06B107.53B1.89T-89.64B
Operating Cash Flow203.58B250.55B741.29B2.73T557.25B
Investing Cash Flow-1.63T-841.46B547.58B-3.02T-1.47T
Financing Cash Flow-1.12T-606.22B191.52B602.22B2.19T

SoftBank Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price9830.00
Price Trends
50DMA
7781.78
Positive
100DMA
8012.41
Positive
200DMA
8477.49
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
563.10
Negative
RSI
83.00
Negative
STOCH
93.90
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For JP:9984, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 9830 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8413.90, above the 50-day MA of 7781.78, and above the 200-day MA of 8477.49, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 563.10 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 83.00 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 93.90 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for JP:9984.

SoftBank Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$13.63T11.9310.28%0.47%7.21%
61
Neutral
$40.08B-1.19-13.44%3.97%2.29%-73.14%
$62.76B14.8013.04%3.02%
$88.56B13.129.84%3.37%
80
Outperform
¥10.29T19.72
3.97%7.57%6.30%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
JP:9984
SoftBank Group
9,830.00
-505.87
-4.89%
KDDIF
KDDI
16.44
3.72
29.25%
NPPXF
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
1.04
0.13
14.29%
JP:9434
SoftBank Corp.
218.80
30.43
16.15%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 20, 2025