SOFTBANK RAISES $11.1B IN JUNK BONDS FOR AI PUSH

The bond offering represents SoftBank's largest junk debt issuance on record, highlighting the company's determination to secure capital for its AI initiatives. Son has repeatedly stated the company is "all in" on artificial intelligence, and the financing move demonstrates executives are pursuing unconventional funding mechanisms to realize that vision. The $23 trillion global debt market provided SoftBank with the opportunity to access capital at scale. Junk bonds—debt issued by companies with lower credit ratings—typically offer higher yields to compensate investors for increased risk. The move signals SoftBank's confidence in its AI strategy despite broader economic uncertainty. The company has been a major player in the AI sector through its Vision Fund investments and direct technology bets. SoftBank's aggressive capital raise underscores how seriously major tech conglomerates are taking AI development and the lengths they will go to finance rapid expansion in the sector.