What you need to know
- SoftBank is reportedly mulling selling ARM holdings or taking the British chip designer public.
- SoftBank acquired ARM Holdings in 2016 for $32 billion.
- More than 95% of smartphone processors are built on ARM's IP.
A report from the Wall Street Journal claims SoftBank is exploring the idea of selling British chip designer ARM. SoftBank had bought ARM Holdings four years back for $32 billion.
As per the report, the review on ARM Holdings is currently at an early stage. Apart from a full or partial sale, SoftBank is also mulling a public offering of the chip designer. Since it isn't known how much interest industry players might have in the British company, it is possible that SoftBank may ultimately choose to do nothing.
The news comes just a few weeks after SoftBank sold $21 billion of its stake in T-Mobile. SoftBank recently said that it is hoping to sell up to $41 billion in assets to help improve the financials of the company. The Japanese company also requires more cash to support companies in its Vision Fund, a vast majority of which have been struggling since the coronavirus pandemic started.
ARM Holdings, which was founded in 1990, is one of the biggest players in the global semiconductor space. Nearly all smartphones sold today are built using ARM's IP. Apple, which has been licensing designs from ARM for a long time now, recently announced the first Macs based on its ARM-based silicon.
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