SoftBank seeks over $11 billion in junk bond sale to fund OpenAI investment
SoftBank is preparing to raise more than $11 billion in a multi-currency junk bond offering to finance its ongoing investments in OpenAI, drawing over $20 billion in preliminary investor interest.
SoftBank is looking to raise the equivalent of more than $11 billion through a junk bond offering, according to Bloomberg reports. The planned debt package includes $10 billion across three maturities in dollar-denominated notes alongside €1 billion in euro-denominated notes, equivalent to roughly $1.1 billion. If completed at this scale, the transaction would be one of the largest single-company junk bond offerings ever conducted.[1][4][6][7]
Proceeds from the offering are intended to replace bridge financing and primarily fund a follow-on $10 billion investment in OpenAI, which is scheduled to close around Oct. 1. The conglomerate led by Masayoshi Son has committed nearly $65 billion to the artificial intelligence firm in total, which would yield an approximate 13% stake upon completion of the upcoming round. SoftBank has already sold roughly $15 billion in notes so far in 2026, making it the biggest junk-rated corporate borrower in bond markets this year.[3][4][5][7]
Early investor demand for the planned sale has exceeded $20 billion, reaching about 1.8 times the initial offering size. The longest dollar tranche has been discussed at yields approaching 10%, which would represent record territory for comparable SoftBank debt. Although demand has proved substantial, SoftBank indicated it currently has no plans to expand the size of the offering.[2]
Key facts
- SoftBank is seeking to raise more than $11 billion in junk bonds, which would rank among the largest junk bond offerings ever by a single company.
- The debt offering includes $10 billion in dollar-denominated bonds across three maturities and €1 billion in euro-denominated notes.
- Proceeds will replace bridge financing and fund SoftBank's next $10 billion investment in OpenAI, which is scheduled to close around Oct. 1.
- SoftBank has committed nearly $65 billion to OpenAI, which would equate to roughly a 13% stake after the latest investment round closes.
- SoftBank has sold about $15 billion of notes in 2026, making it the largest junk-rated debt issuer in the bond market so far this year.
- SoftBank received more than $20 billion in early investor orders, or roughly 1.8 times the initial deal size.
- Yields on the longest dollar tranche have been discussed near 10%, though SoftBank currently has no plans to increase the total offering size.
Sources · 6 sources
- CO
Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X ·
🔥 NOW: SoftBank is looking to raise over $11B in one of the largest junk bond deals ever, partly to fund a follow-on investment in OpenAI, per Bloomberg. https://t.co/MIBSo7lwaZ
Open source - WS
Wall St Engine@wallstenginePost on X ·
SOFTBANK DRAWS $20B+ OF EARLY DEMAND FOR $11B JUNK BOND DEAL TO FUND OPENAI BET SoftBank has received more than $20B of preliminary investor interest for its planned $11B+ bond sale, roughly 1.8x the initial deal size. The offering includes $10B in dollar bonds and €1B in euro notes, with proceeds helping fund SoftBank’s nearly $65B commitment to OpenAI. The longest dollar tranche has been discussed at yields approaching 10%, which would be record territory for comparable SoftBank debt. SoftBank says demand is substantial but it currently has no plans to increase the size of the offering.
Open source - GU
GURGAVIN@gurgavinPost on X ·
SOFTBANK PLANS TO BORROW ANOTHER $11 BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE JUNK BOND MARKET TO INVEST MORE MONEY INTO OPEN AI SOFTBANK HAS ALREADY BORROWED $15 BILLION FROM THE JUNK MARKET SO FAR THIS YEAR https://t.co/YNh8JBIGyx
Open source - WS
Wall St Engine@wallstenginePost on X ·
SOFTBANK SEEKS $11B+ JUNK BOND SALE TO FUND OPENAI BET SoftBank is looking to raise more than $11B through bonds as Masayoshi Son continues to aggressively finance the group’s investment in OpenAI. The offering includes $10B of dollar-denominated notes across three maturities and €1B, roughly $1.1B, of euro notes. The proceeds will primarily fund SoftBank’s next $10B investment in OpenAI, scheduled to close around Oct. 1, while also replacing bridge financing. SoftBank has committed nearly $65B to OpenAI in total, which would give it roughly a 13% stake after the latest investment is completed. If completed at this size, the offering would rank among the largest junk-bond sales ever by a single company. Source: Bloomberg
Open source - TK
The Kobeissi Letter@KobeissiLetterPost on X ·
BREAKING: SoftBank is set to raise more than $11 billion, in what will be one of the biggest junk bond deals ever, to fund a follow-on investment in OpenAI, per Bloomberg. As part of its funding campaign this year, SoftBank has sold ~$15 billion worth of notes, making it the biggest junk-rated borrower in bond markets so far in 2026. We are seeing unprecedented debt market activity to fund AI.
Open source - TE
Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·
Sources: SoftBank is looking to issue $10B and €1B in debt for its OpenAI investment, in what would be one of the biggest junk bond sales ever (Bloomberg) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)
Open source - BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
SoftBank is seeking the equivalent of more than $11 billion in what would be one of the biggest junk bond deals ever, sources say, as billionaire Masayoshi Son’s conglomerate ramps up its investments in ChatGPT creator OpenAI https://t.co/HADc4Vf24J
Open source