SoftBank Shares Plunge 11% — Tech Sell-Off Intensifies as OpenAI Revenue Targets Missed

Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank led declines, dropping over 11% amid broader tech sell-off after The Wall Street Journal reported OpenAI missed revenue and user expectations. The report about OpenAI's performance is hitting tech stocks at a critical juncture for the AI trade, with investors reassessing valuations of artificial intelligence companies. SoftBank has committed to investing $60 billion in OpenAI, representing one of the largest financial commitments to AI development. This massive investment exposes SoftBank to AI sector performance, making the company particularly vulnerable to setbacks in OpenAI's revenue generation and market adoption. The liquidity crunch concerns stem from SoftBank's heavy exposure to AI investments combined with broader market uncertainty. The Wall Street Journal report that OpenAI missed key 2025 revenue and user expectations sent shockwaves through technology stocks, with investors questioning whether AI companies can deliver on promised returns. OpenAI's performance matters significantly because it represents a bellwether for the entire AI industry, with investors using OpenAI's success as proxy for AI investment thesis viability. Tech…