SoftBank’s OpenAI Investment and Goldman Sachs’ Oil Forecasts:
Recent developments in rapid economic and technological transformations
have highlighted significant trends in artificial intelligence and energy markets.
SoftBank Group announced its acquisition of $1.5 billion shares in OpenAI,
strengthening its position in the AI sector.
Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has predicted that
Brent crude oil prices could reach $78 per barrel by mid-next year,
driven by multiple factors impacting the global oil market.
This article delves into the details of these two topics and their implications for the worldwide economy.
Contents
SoftBank Acquires $1.5 Billion in OpenAI Shares.
OpenAI has allowed its employees to sell $1.5 billion worth of shares to Japan’s SoftBank Group,
which aims to enhance its stake in the company behind the AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT.
According to sources cited by CNBC,
the deal has garnered strong support from OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, and SoftBank’s CEO, Masayoshi Son.
This comes after SoftBank’s $500 million investment in OpenAI’s
most recent funding round, which valued the company at $157 billion.
Employees have until December 24 to decide whether to participate in this round,
with an offer of $210 per share, aligning with the company’s latest valuation.
Sources revealed that this funding is not tied to OpenAI’s plans to transition into a profit-driven company,
particularly as it has sufficient liquidity following Microsoft’s $13 billion
backing and the closing of a $6.6 billion funding round in October.
Goldman Sachs: Brent Crude May Reach $78 by June
Dan Struyven, co-head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs,
predicts Brent crude oil will peak at $78 per barrel by June before dropping to $71 in 2026.
Struyven explained that current oil prices are undervalued by approximately $5
due to a market deficit of 500,000 barrels per day last year,
increased demand from the U.S. and China, and ongoing production cuts by OPEC+.
He added that risks related to Iranian supplies and stricter U.S. sanctions could push prices higher in the short term.
Martin Rats of Morgan Stanley echoed this sentiment,
noting that low inventory levels support forecasts for rising oil prices.
SoftBank’s OpenAI Investment and Goldman Sachs’ Oil Forecasts