Anthropic AI update triggers selloff in data analytics and legal software stocks

A sharp selloff in US and European data analytics, professional services, and software stocks intensified, as investors reacted to new artificial intelligence (AI) tools launched by AI startup Anthropic. 

Market participants pointed to the latest update to Anthropic’s Claude chatbot as a key driver behind growing fears of industry-wide disruption.

Anthropic announced new plug-ins for its Claude Cowork agent on Friday, enabling the AI system to automate tasks across fields such as legal work, sales, marketing, and data analysis. 

The rollout has rattled investors, who now worry that AI could significantly undercut businesses long viewed as major beneficiaries of the AI boom.

Shares of Thomson Reuters fell nearly 18%, putting the company on track for its steepest single-day loss on record and its lowest closing level since June 2021. 

The Toronto-based firm, which owns the Westlaw legal research platform and is the parent company of Reuters News, is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday. 

Its stock is now down about 33% year to date after a sharp decline in 2025.

Portfolio manager Mike Archibald of AGF Investments said the market reaction reflects fears that AI tools are moving directly into the legal services space, a core revenue driver for Thomson Reuters. 

“Sometimes the market shoots first and asks questions later,” he said.

Morgan Stanley analysts echoed those concerns, warning that increased competition from specialised AI tools could limit growth in the company’s legal segment. 

Similar pressure hit European peers, with Britain’s RELX and Dutch firm Wolters Kluwer dropping roughly 14% and 13%, respectively, highlighting the mounting strain AI is placing on the sector.