In recent weeks, Anthropic has become pivotal in stirring discussions and volatility in the tech sphere. This AI company has been a key player in the ongoing sell-off affecting technology stocks. Throughout the past month, Anthropic has launched new features and showcased the capabilities of its AI chatbot, Claude, which has sparked widespread anxiety and disrupted major Wall Street trends almost instantaneously.
<p>This turmoil, which began in early February, has plunged the software industry into a significant bear market, leaving investors anxious about the potential disruptions AI tools might bring to various sectors.</p>
<p>The <a target="_self" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/ishares-expanded-tech-software-sector-etf-us4642875151?_gl=1*1rybihx*_ga*OTI1ODIwOTQ2LjE3MTYzOTg2NjU.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*czE3NzE5MzY3MTMkbzYyJGcxJHQxNzcxOTQ1NTQ5JGozMyRsMCRoMA.." rel="">iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF</a>, which reflects the significant impact of the <a target="_self" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-disruption-stock-selloff-software-tech-real-estate-trucking-2026-2" rel="">AI-induced panic</a> on the software market, has plummeted 27% from its highs recorded in early January.</p>
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<p>Here's how Anthropic and its Claude platform have significantly influenced the stock market within just a few weeks:</p>
<h2 id="384554c0-bb6f-4214-977d-37b87beb41d1" data-toc-id="384554c0-bb6f-4214-977d-37b87beb41d1">1. Anthropic Adds Legal Tools to Its Cowork Assistant</h2>
<p id="384554c0-bb6f-4214-977d-37b87beb41d1"><strong>Date:</strong> January 30</p>
<p id="384554c0-bb6f-4214-977d-37b87beb41d1"><strong>What happened:</strong> The downturn started when <a target="_self" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cowork-legal-plugin-publishing-stocks-legalzoom-thomson-reuters-relx-2026-2" rel="">Anthropic introduced new functionalities</a> to its Claude Cowork AI, aimed at assisting legal professionals with tasks such as compliance tracking and legal document management.</p>
<p id="384554c0-bb6f-4214-977d-37b87beb41d1">These announcements raised concerns that AI could rapidly encroach upon the market for existing <a target="_self" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saaspocalypse-ai-software-overreaction-premature-obituary-openai-anthropic-2026-2" rel="">software-as-a-service</a> companies, punishing firms especially linked to the legal and publishing sectors.</p>
<p><strong>Market reaction:</strong></p>
<p>The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF fell by 11% in the four days following Anthropic's announcement. Here are some other notable stock movements during that period:</p>
<h2 id="a7303371-d640-44ba-8495-4b677b538b5e" data-toc-id="a7303371-d640-44ba-8495-4b677b538b5e">Anthropic Introduces Claude Code Security</h2>
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<p id="a7303371-d640-44ba-8495-4b677b538b5e"><strong>Date:</strong> February 20</p>
<p><strong>What happened:</strong> Following a surge of AI-related announcements from other companies, including a former karaoke machine manufacturer, Anthropic made another impactful update. The company revealed a new feature for Claude Code that identifies security vulnerabilities in software. This announcement led to a broader downturn, particularly affecting cybersecurity stocks.</p>
<p><strong>Market reaction:</strong> Cybersecurity stocks and ETFs saw substantial declines beginning on the subsequent Monday, with some companies still reeling from losses on Tuesday.</p>
<h2 id="c326a0d1-b248-4e40-93be-e93e31d41bd2" data-toc-id="c326a0d1-b248-4e40-93be-e93e31d41bd2">Claude Code Highlights COBOL Modernization</h2>
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<p><strong>Date:</strong> February 23</p>
<p><strong>What happened:</strong> Anthropic highlighted Claude's functionalities related to modernizing code, specifically for COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) systems, which could lower costs for many businesses.</p>
<p>In a blog post, the company noted, "Modernizing a COBOL system once required armies of consultants spending years mapping workflows. AI changes this."</p>
<p><strong>Market reaction:</strong> <a target="_self" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ibm-stock-price-anthropic-ai-update-cobol-language-software-selloff-2026-2" rel="">IBM experienced significant losses</a>, recording its worst performance in 26 years, with a 13% drop. The iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF also fell an additional 4% on that day as concerns about AI-driven disruptions mounted.</p>
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<p>Here were the other significant movements:</p>
