SoftBank Group CDS Hits 3-Year High on OpenAI IPO Delay Uncertainty

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Credit default swaps (CDS) indicating the credit risk of SoftBank Group are hovering near their highest level in three years. According to data provider CMA, the mid-spread on five-year CDS stood at 383.2 basis points on the 16th, near its highest level since 2023. Portfolio company OpenAI in the U.S. is expected to forgo an initial public offering within the year, leaving uncertainty over when SoftBank Group will recover its investment. Meanwhile, SoftBank Group has secured $11.9 billion, or 1.85 trillion yen, in financing to fund its investment in OpenAI, exceeding its initial target, showing progress on the funding front. Sharon Chen, a credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, noted in a report dated the 16th that funding costs are rising along with higher government bond yields in Japan and the U.S., and said SoftBank Group's overseas bonds are seeing wider spreads amid concerns over increased supply and growing exposure to OpenAI. The company recently issued 1 trillion yen in retail bonds in Japan and is also preparing an overseas bond issuance, and if CDS remain at high levels, it could affect future issuance terms.

Impact on stocks 1

Financials · 1 stocks
SoftBank Group Corp.
9984
▼ NegativeCapitalrelevance

SoftBank Group's CDS hit a 3-year high as OpenAI's expected IPO delay leaves uncertainty over recovering its investment, and rising funding costs could affect future bond issuance terms.

Theme Impact 1

Off-coverage companies 1

OpenAIPrivate± Mixed
relevance

OpenAI is expected to forgo an IPO within the year, but the article gives no direct positive or negative development for OpenAI itself.

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