SoftBank Reduces TSMC Stake by 71.5% Amid Semiconductor Portfolio Changes

SoftBank Group has cut its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) by 71.5%, bringing its holdings down to just 565,000 American Depositary Shares (ADS). This decision is part of a broader trend of semiconductor divestitures from Masayoshi Son’s investment empire, which notably included the complete exit from its Nvidia stake in November 2025.

The reduction in SoftBank's TSMC holdings follows a previous accumulation phase where the company invested approximately $330 million in TSMC shares throughout 2025. This strategy was aligned with the rising demand for advanced chips driven by the AI boom. However, the recent sale indicates a pivot in SoftBank's approach, as it moves to trim its semiconductor exposure.

As of March 31, 2026, SoftBank's prior position in TSMC was valued at around $671 million. The latest sale has reduced this exposure significantly, although the remaining 565,000 ADS are currently worth about $190 million. Neither SoftBank nor TSMC has commented on the rationale behind this transaction, which appears to have been disclosed through regulatory filings.

For TSMC, the impact of SoftBank's reduced stake is expected to be limited, given that SoftBank's holdings were relatively modest compared to TSMC's total market capitalization, which exceeds $800 billion. The future of SoftBank's remaining stake will likely be clarified in upcoming regulatory filings.