Overview

• SoftBank has sold nearly its entire stake in Alibaba, ending a long and profitable investment.
• The sale comes as Alibaba faces increased government oversight and SoftBank shifts to a "defensive mode" due to a risky business environment.
• Alibaba shares declined significantly on the news, reflecting investor concerns over the e-commerce giant's future without SoftBank's backing.
• SoftBank's stake in Alibaba had once been valued at over $100 billion but is now worth around $7 billion after years of gradually selling shares.
• The sale marks the end of an era and severs ties between two of Asia's most prominent tech companies.