SoftBank to log slim profit ahead of Masayoshi son’s next AI bet

SoftBank Group Corp. is likely to report a small profit, an indication of how past mistakes continue to weigh on the company even as billionaire founder Masayoshi Son prepares his next big AI bet.

Emerging from a month of sharp selloffs, the Tokyo-based investment firm on Wednesday is expected to report a net income of ¥1 billion ($6.9 million) for the June quarter, according to the average of three analysts polled. That compares with a big loss of ¥477.6 billion a year ago, but is tiny compared with profits in the preceding two quarters, attesting to the continued drag from hundreds of loss-making startups that remain on Vision Fund books.