17.02.202603:51:48UTC+00US Futures Drop as Risk Aversion Persists

US stock futures fell sharply on Tuesday as investors stayed risk-averse, extending last week’s selloff driven by mounting concerns over AI-related disruption in select industries. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively, while Dow futures slipped 0.3%. Last week, the Dow lost 1.23%, the S&P 500 shed 1.39%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.1%.

Software stocks were among the weakest performers, as increasingly sophisticated AI tools — including Anthropic PBC’s Claude Cowork — intensified worries about structural pressure on traditional software business models. By contrast, semiconductor stocks held up relatively well, supported by expectations that broader AI adoption will continue to drive demand for high-performance computing and advanced chips.

Investors are now looking to a new wave of corporate earnings for direction, with results due this week from Walmart, Warner Bros. Discovery, Booking Holdings, Deere & Company, and Palo Alto Networks.