SoftBank’s Arm Is Said to Explore Ampere Computing Takeover

SoftBank Group Corp. and its majority-owned Arm Holdings Plc are exploring a deal for Ampere Computing LLC, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ampere, the Oracle Corp.-backed semiconductor designer, has drawn takeover interest from Arm while exploring its strategic options, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private.

Talks could still fall apart, the people cautioned. It’s also possible Ampere could end up being bought by another suitor.

Ampere, which designs semiconductors that use Arm’s technology, was valued at $8 billion in a proposed minority investment by Japan’s SoftBank in 2021, ...