SoftBank executives have revived discussions about taking the technology group private as the Japanese conglomerate seeks to redefine its strategy after a series of big asset disposals, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
The talks are driven by frustrations over the persistent discount in SoftBank’s $115bn equity valuation compared with the value of its individual holdings, which continues even after an asset sale programme targeted at closing that gap.
The latest of those disposals is set to be announced this week, with SoftBank set to sell the UK’s Arm Holdings for more than $40bn in cash-and-stock to US chipmaker Nvidia.