Dec 29 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group Corp could announce a deal to acquire U.S.-based alternative asset manager DigitalBridge Group Inc as soon as Monday, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with
the matter.
DigitalBridge shares jumped about 40% in trading before the bell. Its shares had risen about 45% earlier this month after Bloomberg News first reported the talks.
As of Friday's close, the company had a market capitalization of about $2.54 billion.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report and the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications.
DigitalBridge invests across digital infrastructure sectors such as data centres, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure. Its portfolio includes companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge.
As of September 30, DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem.
An acquisition would deepen SoftBank's exposure to digital infrastructure at a time when the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on assets tied to artificial intelligence.
SoftBank has ramped up investment in artificial intelligence as it seeks to position itself at the centre of what Masayoshi Son has called a once-in-a-generation technological shift.
The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development.
OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about seven gigawatts when in operation.
(Reporting by Akash Sriram and Mihika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
