← SoftBank overview

SoftBank vs Rakuten Group: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

SoftBank Corp. (9434.JP)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

SoftBank Corp. advances on AI and fintech, but infrastructure and cyber risks weigh

  • AI and fintech expansion SoftBank deepened its Seven & i/PayPay alliance with a ¥100bn investment, moved closer to acquiring SP.LINKS for $625m, and won Digital Agency adoption for its Sarashina AI, boosting growth prospects.

    These strategic moves are key positive drivers for the quarter.

  • New technology initiatives SoftBank joined Nvidia's Cosmos Coalition and tested stratospheric and drone communications, signaling innovation in next-generation connectivity that could open new revenue streams.

    These initiatives highlight forward-looking technology bets.

  • Infrastructure and cyber setbacks Oracle's force majeure notice on the Stargate data center hit shares ~6%, a ransomware attack on subsidiary IDC Frontier exposed data and disrupted hundreds of customers, and the Kumamoto earthquake caused network outages.

    These operational risks negatively impacted the stock and reputation.

  • Dilution risk from Seven & i share issuance The Seven & i share issuance carries potential EPS and ROE dilution, which could pressure the stock if earnings don't grow enough to offset the increased share count.

    This is a financial risk that may weigh on investor sentiment.

September 2026
▲2▼2

SoftBank Corp. advances stratospheric and drone tech, but AI data-center risk and a cyberattack weigh

  • Stratospheric and drone communications breakthroughs SoftBank's partners Sceye and General Atomics completed successful tests of high-altitude platforms and drone-mounted communications pods that can restore mobile service from the sky. These show SoftBank's technology is moving toward commercial use, opening new revenue opportunities beyond ground-based networks.

    Two separate successful flight tests this period demonstrate real progress in SoftBank's next-generation connectivity business.

  • Oracle's force majeure notice on Stargate data center Oracle warned it may delay payments if the huge Project Jupiter data center (part of the Stargate AI buildout with SoftBank) misses its 2028 opening. SoftBank shares fell about 6% as investors worried about the AI infrastructure project's timeline and SoftBank's exposure to it.

    This is the single biggest negative price driver this period, directly hitting SoftBank shares.

  • Expanding smart-glasses lineup in Japan SoftBank launched Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 and Meta Glasses by LISA in Japan, building on earlier Meta glasses sales. As the carrier partner, SoftBank adds a new consumer product category that could boost subscriber engagement and device revenue.

    A concrete product launch that expands SoftBank's retail offering and ties it to Meta's AI wearables push.

  • Ransomware attack on SoftBank subsidiary IDC Frontier A ransomware attack on SoftBank's cloud unit IDC Frontier exposed data and disrupted services for hundreds of companies and local governments, including JR East's 2 million members. This raises regulatory and reputational risk, and could lead to fines or customer losses.

    A major security breach at a SoftBank subsidiary creates regulatory and trust risks that can pressure the stock.

Latest
▲2▼2

SoftBank Corp. advances stratospheric and drone tech, but AI data-center risk and a cyberattack weigh

  • Stratospheric and drone communications breakthroughs SoftBank's partners Sceye and General Atomics completed successful tests of high-altitude platforms and drone-mounted communications pods that can restore mobile service from the sky. These show SoftBank's technology is moving toward commercial use, opening new revenue opportunities beyond ground-based networks.

    Two separate successful flight tests this period demonstrate real progress in SoftBank's next-generation connectivity business.

  • Oracle's force majeure notice on Stargate data center Oracle warned it may delay payments if the huge Project Jupiter data center (part of the Stargate AI buildout with SoftBank) misses its 2028 opening. SoftBank shares fell about 6% as investors worried about the AI infrastructure project's timeline and SoftBank's exposure to it.

    This is the single biggest negative price driver this period, directly hitting SoftBank shares.

  • Expanding smart-glasses lineup in Japan SoftBank launched Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 and Meta Glasses by LISA in Japan, building on earlier Meta glasses sales. As the carrier partner, SoftBank adds a new consumer product category that could boost subscriber engagement and device revenue.

    A concrete product launch that expands SoftBank's retail offering and ties it to Meta's AI wearables push.

  • Ransomware attack on SoftBank subsidiary IDC Frontier A ransomware attack on SoftBank's cloud unit IDC Frontier exposed data and disrupted services for hundreds of companies and local governments, including JR East's 2 million members. This raises regulatory and reputational risk, and could lead to fines or customer losses.

    A major security breach at a SoftBank subsidiary creates regulatory and trust risks that can pressure the stock.

August 2026
▲3▼1

SoftBank's PayPay and Seven & i alliance reshapes fintech growth

  • PayPay–Seven & i capital alliance PayPay, with SoftBank's backing, formed a capital and business alliance with Seven & i to link digital payments with 22,000 convenience stores. This expands SoftBank's fintech reach and customer data, supporting long-term growth.

    This is the core new event that directly boosts SoftBank's fintech ecosystem and future earnings potential.

  • SoftBank invests ¥100 billion in Seven & i SoftBank invested ¥100 billion in Seven & i as part of a ¥300 billion total from SoftBank, PayPay, and Sumitomo Mitsui Card. This deepens ties and aims to accelerate convenience store reforms using AI and robots.

    This confirms the financial commitment and strategic integration, strengthening SoftBank's position in retail tech.

  • SoftBank nears acquisition of SP.LINKS SoftBank is close to buying payments firm SP.LINKS for about $625 million, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This adds payment processing capabilities and scale to SoftBank's fintech operations.

    This is a new acquisition that expands SoftBank's payments business and could drive future revenue.

  • Kumamoto earthquake disrupts network A strong earthquake in Kumamoto caused communication service disruptions for SoftBank and other carriers. This may lead to repair costs and customer dissatisfaction, but the impact is likely temporary.

    This is a new operational risk that could weigh on short-term performance and reputation.

▲3▼1

SoftBank's PayPay and Seven & i alliance reshapes fintech growth

  • PayPay–Seven & i capital alliance PayPay, with SoftBank's backing, formed a capital and business alliance with Seven & i to link digital payments with 22,000 convenience stores. This expands SoftBank's fintech reach and customer data, supporting long-term growth.

    This is the core new event that directly boosts SoftBank's fintech ecosystem and future earnings potential.

  • SoftBank invests ¥100 billion in Seven & i SoftBank invested ¥100 billion in Seven & i as part of a ¥300 billion total from SoftBank, PayPay, and Sumitomo Mitsui Card. This deepens ties and aims to accelerate convenience store reforms using AI and robots.

    This confirms the financial commitment and strategic integration, strengthening SoftBank's position in retail tech.

  • SoftBank nears acquisition of SP.LINKS SoftBank is close to buying payments firm SP.LINKS for about $625 million, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This adds payment processing capabilities and scale to SoftBank's fintech operations.

    This is a new acquisition that expands SoftBank's payments business and could drive future revenue.

  • Kumamoto earthquake disrupts network A strong earthquake in Kumamoto caused communication service disruptions for SoftBank and other carriers. This may lead to repair costs and customer dissatisfaction, but the impact is likely temporary.

    This is a new operational risk that could weigh on short-term performance and reputation.

July 2026
▲3

SoftBank Corp. bets on AI, payments and 7-Eleven tie-up

  • SoftBank and PayPay plan multi-trillion-yen investment in Seven & i SoftBank Corp. and PayPay are in talks to invest several trillion yen in Seven & i, owner of 7-Eleven. This would plug PayPay rewards and SoftBank's mobile customers into Japan's biggest convenience-store network, lifting store visits and spending. Talks are still fluid and could fall apart.

    This is the single biggest new force behind the stock, tying SoftBank's payments and mobile businesses to a huge retail network.

  • 7-Eleven parent weighs stake sale, with dilution risk Seven & i may issue several hundred billion yen in new shares to SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui, aiming for a deal this summer. The tie-up could cut costs and add AI logistics, but new shares dilute earnings per share and return on equity unless growth offsets it.

    It shows the real counterweight: the deal could help or hurt SoftBank's per-share earnings depending on execution.

  • SoftBank's SB Intuitions AI models adopted by Japan's Digital Agency SoftBank's SB Intuitions trained its Sarashina generative AI models using Nvidia's Nemotron, and Sarashina3 mini was picked by Japan's Digital Agency. This shows SoftBank's AI work is winning real government customers, supporting its push beyond plain telecom.

    It is new evidence that SoftBank's AI investment is producing sellable products and public-sector demand.

  • SoftBank joins Nvidia's Cosmos Coalition for physical AI SoftBank Corp. intends to join Nvidia's Cosmos Coalition to help build open physical AI models for robots and machines, alongside FANUC, Sony and others. This positions SoftBank inside Japan's robotics and automation supply chain, a potential new growth area.

    It is a fresh strategic commitment that could open new business lines beyond telecom and payments.

▲3

SoftBank Corp. bets on AI, payments and 7-Eleven tie-up

  • SoftBank and PayPay plan multi-trillion-yen investment in Seven & i SoftBank Corp. and PayPay are in talks to invest several trillion yen in Seven & i, owner of 7-Eleven. This would plug PayPay rewards and SoftBank's mobile customers into Japan's biggest convenience-store network, lifting store visits and spending. Talks are still fluid and could fall apart.

    This is the single biggest new force behind the stock, tying SoftBank's payments and mobile businesses to a huge retail network.

  • 7-Eleven parent weighs stake sale, with dilution risk Seven & i may issue several hundred billion yen in new shares to SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui, aiming for a deal this summer. The tie-up could cut costs and add AI logistics, but new shares dilute earnings per share and return on equity unless growth offsets it.

    It shows the real counterweight: the deal could help or hurt SoftBank's per-share earnings depending on execution.

  • SoftBank's SB Intuitions AI models adopted by Japan's Digital Agency SoftBank's SB Intuitions trained its Sarashina generative AI models using Nvidia's Nemotron, and Sarashina3 mini was picked by Japan's Digital Agency. This shows SoftBank's AI work is winning real government customers, supporting its push beyond plain telecom.

    It is new evidence that SoftBank's AI investment is producing sellable products and public-sector demand.

  • SoftBank joins Nvidia's Cosmos Coalition for physical AI SoftBank Corp. intends to join Nvidia's Cosmos Coalition to help build open physical AI models for robots and machines, alongside FANUC, Sony and others. This positions SoftBank inside Japan's robotics and automation supply chain, a potential new growth area.

    It is a fresh strategic commitment that could open new business lines beyond telecom and payments.

Rakuten Group, Inc. (4755.JP)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

Rakuten swings to profit but loses KDDI roaming deal

  • First operating profit in seven years Rakuten posted a ¥50.4bn operating profit, its first in seven years, as shopping, financial services, and mobile losses improved. This shows the core business is finally turning around.

    This is a major positive event that directly boosts investor confidence and the stock price.

  • KDDI ends roaming deal KDDI ended its roaming deal with Rakuten, threatening network quality, customer losses, and costly catch-up spending. This is a significant blow to Rakuten's mobile business.

    This is a major negative event that could hurt future earnings and competitiveness.

  • Government satellite funding and AST partnership Japan granted up to ¥148bn for a domestic satellite network, reducing reliance on foreign services. A joint venture with AST SpaceMobile targets satellite-powered mobile service next year, adding a growth driver.

    This new funding and partnership open a new growth avenue and reduce dependency risks.

  • Warehouse writedown and regulatory friction A ¥17bn warehouse writedown pushed a quarterly net loss of ¥10.9bn. Regulatory friction also rose: scrutiny over furusato nozei fees and a forced reversal of its Rakuten ID contract policy.

    These negative items add financial and regulatory pressure, weighing on sentiment.

September 2026
▼3▲1

Rakuten's mobile network loses KDDI roaming as new bets and setbacks mix

  • KDDI roaming ends, network quality at risk KDDI is ending the roaming deal that let Rakuten Mobile borrow its network in cities from October. Rakuten's own 5G base stations lag rivals and its 2025 buildout fell far short of plan, so quality may drop, customers may leave, and catching up could mean costly new spending that revives losses.

    This is the biggest force on Rakuten's mobile unit, threatening subscribers and profitability.

  • 17 billion yen warehouse writedown deepens loss Rakuten wrote down 17 billion yen of warehouse leasing assets to zero and will use the space itself, pushing its second-quarter net result to a 10.9 billion yen loss. That is a direct hit to reported profit and shows the logistics side is not yet paying off.

    A concrete capital loss that directly reduces reported earnings and investor confidence.

  • Regulatory pushback on fees and ID policy Rakuten kept its furusato nozei fee while three rivals agreed to cut, drawing ministry scrutiny. Days later it scrapped a plan to auto-cancel mobile contracts without a Rakuten ID after the communications ministry intervened. Both show regulatory friction that can raise costs and hurt its public standing.

    Regulatory pressure on two key businesses is a real counterweight to the growth story.

  • New defense drone and Ferrari partnerships Rakuten will act as Japanese go-between for German drone maker Helsing's defense drones, a new revenue path beyond its inspection drone work. It also signed a global partnership with Ferrari starting 2027, extending the sports-sponsorship brand strategy. Both are early-stage and financial details are undisclosed.

    These are the period's main positive developments, showing new business and brand expansion.

Latest
▼3▲1

Rakuten's mobile network loses KDDI roaming as new bets and setbacks mix

  • KDDI roaming ends, network quality at risk KDDI is ending the roaming deal that let Rakuten Mobile borrow its network in cities from October. Rakuten's own 5G base stations lag rivals and its 2025 buildout fell far short of plan, so quality may drop, customers may leave, and catching up could mean costly new spending that revives losses.

    This is the biggest force on Rakuten's mobile unit, threatening subscribers and profitability.

  • 17 billion yen warehouse writedown deepens loss Rakuten wrote down 17 billion yen of warehouse leasing assets to zero and will use the space itself, pushing its second-quarter net result to a 10.9 billion yen loss. That is a direct hit to reported profit and shows the logistics side is not yet paying off.

    A concrete capital loss that directly reduces reported earnings and investor confidence.

  • Regulatory pushback on fees and ID policy Rakuten kept its furusato nozei fee while three rivals agreed to cut, drawing ministry scrutiny. Days later it scrapped a plan to auto-cancel mobile contracts without a Rakuten ID after the communications ministry intervened. Both show regulatory friction that can raise costs and hurt its public standing.

    Regulatory pressure on two key businesses is a real counterweight to the growth story.

  • New defense drone and Ferrari partnerships Rakuten will act as Japanese go-between for German drone maker Helsing's defense drones, a new revenue path beyond its inspection drone work. It also signed a global partnership with Ferrari starting 2027, extending the sports-sponsorship brand strategy. Both are early-stage and financial details are undisclosed.

    These are the period's main positive developments, showing new business and brand expansion.

July 2026
▲3▼1

Rakuten's satellite bet and first profit in seven years drive the story

  • Government grant for satellite network Japan will give Rakuten up to 148 billion yen to build a domestic satellite communications network, reducing reliance on foreign services like Starlink. This is a huge cash injection that lowers the cost and risk of a new growth business, supporting the share price.

    This is a major new capital boost that directly improves Rakuten's financial position and future prospects.

  • Joint venture with AST SpaceMobile Rakuten is forming a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-powered mobile service in Japan, with coverage targeted for next year. This opens a new revenue stream and strengthens Rakuten Mobile's offering, which the market views as a positive growth driver.

    The JV is a concrete new business expansion that could add subscribers and revenue, directly impacting Rakuten's value.

  • First operating profit in seven years Rakuten reported a 50.4 billion yen operating profit for the June 2026 interim period, its first in seven years, as internet shopping and financial services grew strongly and mobile losses narrowed. This shows the core business is turning around, a key positive for the stock.

    Profitability is the most fundamental driver of share price, and this milestone signals a major improvement in Rakuten's financial health.

  • Mobile service disruptions after Kumamoto earthquake Rakuten Mobile's services were disrupted in Kumamoto after a powerful earthquake, with no timeline for restoration. While temporary, this highlights network vulnerability and could hurt customer trust and add costs, a modest negative for the stock.

    This is a new operational setback that could affect Rakuten Mobile's reputation and near-term performance.

▲3▼1

Rakuten's satellite bet and first profit in seven years drive the story

  • Government grant for satellite network Japan will give Rakuten up to 148 billion yen to build a domestic satellite communications network, reducing reliance on foreign services like Starlink. This is a huge cash injection that lowers the cost and risk of a new growth business, supporting the share price.

    This is a major new capital boost that directly improves Rakuten's financial position and future prospects.

  • Joint venture with AST SpaceMobile Rakuten is forming a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-powered mobile service in Japan, with coverage targeted for next year. This opens a new revenue stream and strengthens Rakuten Mobile's offering, which the market views as a positive growth driver.

    The JV is a concrete new business expansion that could add subscribers and revenue, directly impacting Rakuten's value.

  • First operating profit in seven years Rakuten reported a 50.4 billion yen operating profit for the June 2026 interim period, its first in seven years, as internet shopping and financial services grew strongly and mobile losses narrowed. This shows the core business is turning around, a key positive for the stock.

    Profitability is the most fundamental driver of share price, and this milestone signals a major improvement in Rakuten's financial health.

  • Mobile service disruptions after Kumamoto earthquake Rakuten Mobile's services were disrupted in Kumamoto after a powerful earthquake, with no timeline for restoration. While temporary, this highlights network vulnerability and could hurt customer trust and add costs, a modest negative for the stock.

    This is a new operational setback that could affect Rakuten Mobile's reputation and near-term performance.