Intel shares surged 6% in pre-market trading on August 19 after SoftBank Group announced a $2 billion investment in the U.S. chipmaker, according to PANews.

The investment marks a notable development for Intel, as it continues to navigate the competitive landscape of the technology sector.

The deal signals renewed confidence in Intel as it pushes to regain ground in the fiercely competitive semiconductor market, where rivals such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) dominate key segments.

For SoftBank, which has been steadily rebalancing its Vision Fund portfolio, the investment strengthens its exposure to the global AI and chip supply chain — a sector increasingly viewed as the backbone of future digital infrastructure.

Intel’s management has been under pressure to accelerate innovation and expand its foundry services, while also securing partnerships to boost market relevance. The backing from SoftBank could provide both capital and credibility as the company seeks to catch up in advanced process technology.