SUMMARY

• SoftBank's Vision Fund recorded a staggering loss of 4.3 trillion Japanese yen ($32 billion) for its fiscal year ending Mar. 31.
• Despite setbacks, SoftBank trimmed overall losses through strategic exits from high-profile investments such as Uber, T-Mobile, and Alibaba.
• Amid global rising interest rates, SoftBank's Chief Financial Officer, Yoshimitsu Goto, contemplates the company's next move: staying defensive or balancing it with some offense?

Dive into the world of SoftBank - the Japanese tech titan, a haven of high-stakes investments, and also, unfortunately, a subject of seismic losses. The past year has proven to be a rollercoaster ride for SoftBank's flagship Vision Fund. It's been a year that makes you say "oof" - as the fund recorded a hair-raising loss of 4.3 trillion Japanese yen (a whopping $32 billion), a notable increase from last year's 2.55 trillion yen loss.

Despite a fresh wave of tech-stock rallies, SoftBank's financial year hasn't exactly been the stuff dreams are made of. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index took a roughly 11% tumble during SoftBank's fiscal year. So, if you thought your portfolio was taking a hit, well, it seems SoftBank's been having a more significant rough patch!

Still, not all is lost in the realm of SoftBank. The company has been flexing its strategic muscles and offloading some high-profile investments, like T-Mobile and Alibaba shares. And let's not forget their lucrative exit from Uber - yes, they've bid adieu to the ride-hailing giant. With these moves, SoftBank managed to trim down its overall losses. Now, that's some impressive financial gymnastics!

According to SoftBank's Chief Financial Officer, Yoshimitsu Goto, their investment companies are far from going bust. They're sitting on a treasure trove of companies ready to go public, valued at a combined $37 billion. Who these companies are, though, remains a mystery.

The Vision Fund, brainchild of SoftBank's founder Masayoshi Son, is more than just a fund - it's a player in the high-stakes game of tech investing. But with global rising interest rates, investors are getting cold feet, shying away from riskier equities like tech. Despite these challenges, SoftBank's still in the game, possibly plotting its next move. And as their CFO asks - should they remain on the defensive or balance it with some offense? Only time will tell!

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