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Fitch Assigns SoftBank First-Time BB+ Rating with Stable Outlook

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Fitch Ratings has assigned SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) a first-time Long-Term Issuer Default Rating of BB+, citing its position as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing investment holding companies.

The rating reflects SoftBank's strong investment record, diversified funding access, and decade-long discipline in managing loan-to-value, net asset value, and liquidity metrics.

However, the rating is constrained by the company's higher risk appetite, concentration in large AI-related positions, and uneven investment performance across cycles, according to the agency's rating commentary on Friday.

Portfolio credit strength is assessed at 'bb', weighed down by the SoftBank Vision Funds' significant OpenAI exposure and appetite for riskier investments, though an eventual OpenAI IPO could strengthen the funding profile.

Fitch expects gross and net loan-to-value ratio (LTV) to rise to roughly 31% and 28% by end-March 2027, driven by debt-funded contracted investments, assuming no asset monetization or IPOs.

Despite this, Fitch does not anticipate SoftBank deviating from its financial policy, supported by strong capital markets access and a large portfolio of listed securities available for monetization.

What else is happening in Asia?

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ASX:WEC