Software, Data Analytics Stock Selloff Persists After Anthropic AI Update
In Focus
- Anthropic introduced plug-ins that automate legal and marketing tasks
- The update has raised fears of an impending AI disruption in the software industry
- Stocks of European software companies plunged on February 3, 2026
An Anthropic AI update has sparked stock selloff across U.S. and European markets. The selloff affects stocks in the software, data analytics and professional service industry. According to Yahoo Finance, Anthropic unveiled plug-ins for the Claude Cowork agent on January 30, 2026. The plug-ins are designed to automate tasks in legal, marketing, sales, and data analysis.
However, the update has raised fears of an impending AI disruption in the data and professional services industry. Anthropic launched a web application for its AI coding assistant, Claude Code in October 2025.
Sell Off Affects the Software Market
Anthropic’s plug-ins triggered the software market, causing stocks of major companies to drop. In the U.K., shares of legal analytics service provider, RELX dropped 14%. Wolters Kluwer, a Dutch company that offers similar services also saw its stock fall 13%. The value of RELX stock has now dropped by close to 50% since February 2025 when it was at its peak.
“The selling pressure in software and data analytics reflects a deepening structural debate, accelerated today by Anthropic’s legal automation tool challenging incumbents like RELX. Investors are aggressively repricing these areas as the historical ‘visibility premium’ erodes the speed of AI advancement and makes long-term valuations harder to defend,” Schroders Analyst, Jonathan McMullan noted as per Yahoo Finance.
In London, stocks of software firms Sage Group, Experian, and Pearson dropped by between 6% and 12%. This dramatic plunge points to increasing pressure on Europe’s software sector as the Anthropic AI disruption selloff continues.
News of Anthropic Claude plugins selloff came weeks after the AI developer expanded enterprise AI leadership following a deal with Germany-based global insurance firm, Allianz.
Thomson Reuters Stock Affected by Selloff News
According to analysts, the data and professional services industry was largely seen as a major AI beneficiary. Anthropic Claude plug-in selloff news affected the Toronto arm of Thomson Reuters, causing its stock to plunge by close to 18%. Thomson Reuters owns the Westlaw legal database.
“I think Anthropic came out with some plug-ins to tackle the legal space. Obviously, that’s where Thomson Reuters generates a good chunk of their revenues,” AGF Investments Portfolio Manager, Mike Archibald said as cited by Yahoo Finance.
Thomson Reuters will be reporting its Q4 earnings on February 5, 2026. Its stock has dropped 33% year-to date after plunging 22% 2025. Analysts say investors are concerned that the media company, which owns Reuters News, might not sustain growth in its legal segment as competition from AI tools heats up.
Impact of Anthropic AI Update on Tech Stocks
Anthropic’s AI update also affected stocks of leading technology firms like Microsoft and NVIDIA. Microsoft stock plunged 2.9% while NVIDIA shares dropped 2.8%.
Meta Platform stock also shed 2.1% while Oracle shares lost 3.4% of their value. The Anthropic Claude Cowork stock impact also spread to companies in the advertising sector with Pinterest and Omnicom stocks dropping 5.6% and 11.2% respectively.
