Iridian Asset Management Trims DigitalBridge Stake Ahead of SoftBank Acquisition

Iridian Asset Management has significantly reduced its exposure to DigitalBridge Group (DBRG), selling 360,253 shares in the first quarter of 2026. According to SEC filings, the transaction was valued at approximately $5.54 million based on the quarter's mean unadjusted closing price. The divestment occurs against the backdrop of SoftBank Group's pending acquisition of DigitalBridge. SoftBank announced its intent to acquire the digital infrastructure firm for $16 per share on December 29, targeting DigitalBridge's extensive portfolio of data centers, fiber networks, and cell towers to bolster its artificial intelligence capabilities. Following the sale, Iridian retains a residual position of nearly 40,000 shares. With DBRG shares currently trading above $15, the hedge fund appears to have prioritized immediate liquidity over the marginal gain of waiting for the final $16 payout scheduled for the second half of 2026. The move reflects a common strategy among institutional investors to lock in gains when a stock trades close to its acquisition price. As the market prices in the SoftBank deal, the upside for new investors is limited, shifting the focus toward the strategic integration of AI-driven computing capacity.