Softbank reduces Alibaba holding to 3.8%

Softbank has sold shares worth $7.2 billion in Alibaba reducing its shareholding to 3.8% says the FT. Last year Softbank sold $29 billion worth of Alibaba stock

At one time Softbank owned about 30% of Alibaba worth about $200 billion, making Softbank chairman Masayoshi Son, very briefly in 2000, the richest man in the world.

The Alibaba stake, which had been acquired for $20 million, helped underpin the extensive borrowings of Softbank which currently amount to around $170 billion.

Son is reported to be personally liable for about $5 billion under compensation deals done with Softbank.

The situation makes the fate of the Arm IPO later this year particularly critical for Softbank.