Prime Highlight
- DigitalBridge shares jumped sharply after reports said SoftBank is in advanced talks to acquire the data centre investment firm.
- The potential deal highlights SoftBank’s growing push into AI by strengthening its control over digital infrastructure.
Key Facts
- DigitalBridge stock rose as much as 50% in premarket trading and was still up about 35% early Monday.
- The company manages around $108 billion in assets and invests in data centres, fibre networks, and edge computing platforms.
Background
Shares of DigitalBridge jumped sharply in premarket trading on Monday after a report said Japan’s SoftBank is in advanced talks to acquire the New York-listed data centre investment firm.
According to Bloomberg, which cited unnamed sources, SoftBank could announce the deal as soon as Monday. The news sent DigitalBridge stock soaring by as much as 50% in early trade. By around 4:20 a.m. ET, the shares had eased slightly but were still about 35% higher. The company’s stock has already gained roughly 23% since the start of the year.
Representatives for SoftBank and DigitalBridge did not comment on the report when contacted by Bloomberg. CNBC also reached out to both companies.
The reported talks come at a time when demand for digital infrastructure is rising fast due to the global growth of artificial intelligence. AI systems require large amounts of computing power, which in turn depends on data centres, cloud networks and fibre connectivity, areas where DigitalBridge is active.
DigitalBridge describes itself as a specialist digital infrastructure investment firm. It invests in data centres, cell towers, fibre networks and edge computing platforms across several regions. As of the end of September, the company managed about $108 billion in assets, according to information on its website.
SoftBank has recently stepped up its focus on artificial intelligence. The Japanese group sold its entire stake in U.S. chipmaker Nvidia for $5.83 billion to free up capital for new technology investments, including its growing exposure to OpenAI.
If confirmed, the deal would mark another major move by SoftBank to strengthen its position in the AI ecosystem, not just through software firms but also by controlling the physical infrastructure that powers next-generation digital services.
Investors will now watch closely for any official announcement that could reshape the global data centre and AI infrastructure market.
