SoftBank shares jump over 7% after $11.1 billion bond issuance to fund OpenAI bet

SoftBank is using debt to increase its exposure to OpenAI, issuing $11.1 billion in bonds to help finance the investment. Investors responded positively, pushing SoftBank shares up more than 7%. For AI builders, the financing signals that capital for frontier-model development remains concentrated among companies able to support enormous infrastructure costs. The bond sale also shifts part of SoftBank's OpenAI bet onto its balance sheet, increasing both its potential upside and financial risk. The announcement did not specify new OpenAI products, pricing, or availability.