Amazon stocks plunge as US tech faces worst week in months.

Amazon’s stock plunged sharply in early February 2026, dropping as much as 10% in after-hours trading and around 7-9% the following day, following its fourth-quarter earnings report that narrowly missed Wall Street’s profit expectations with $1.95 per share against a forecasted $1.97.

The steeper sell-off was driven by the company’s aggressive guidance for $200 billion in capital expenditures for 2026—far exceeding analyst estimates of about $146 billion—primarily to fuel massive investments in AI infrastructure, cloud computing via AWS, robotics, and low-orbit satellites.

This announcement intensified investor concerns amid a broader US tech sector rout, with fears of an AI spending bubble, delayed returns on investments, and overcapacity risks contributing to one of the worst weeks for tech stocks in months, as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 endured multiple days of heavy losses before a partial rebound. Amazon’s shares, already under pressure year-to-date and marking it as a laggard among the Magnificent Seven, highlighted growing market skepticism about the sustainability of hyperscalers’ AI buildouts, even as AWS showed strong growth acceleration.

AI Spending Concerns

The rapid escalation in artificial intelligence (AI) investments has sparked widespread concerns among investors and industry analysts. Companies are pouring billions into AI infrastructure, research, and development, often without clear short-term returns. This vast spending is seen as a potential bubble, reminiscent of past tech hype cycles, where enthusiasm outpaces practical outcomes. As highlighted in recent financial reports, the fear is that overcommitment to AI could lead to financial strain if market expectations aren’t met.

Sell-Off in the Software Sector

Parallel to these AI concerns, the software sector has experienced a notable sell-off, with stock prices tumbling for many key players. This downturn is driven by broader market volatility, including rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, which have prompted investors to pull back from high-growth tech stocks. Software firms, heavily intertwined with AI advancements, are particularly vulnerable as their valuations were inflated during the pandemic-era boom. The result has been a correction phase, where overvalued assets are being repriced amid profit-taking and risk aversion.

Combined Impact on Markets

The convergence of excessive AI spending and the software sector sell-off has amplified market jitters, creating a compounded effect on investor sentiment. What began as isolated worries about AI’s capital intensity has now intertwined with broader sector declines, leading to a ripple effect across tech indices. Analysts point out that this combination could signal a broader tech correction, potentially affecting global markets. Companies that bet big on AI are under scrutiny, as the sell-off erodes confidence in their long-term strategies.