S&P Global's stock price collapsed Tuesday morning after the financial data giant delivered a disappointing fourth-quarter earnings report and issued 2026 profit guidance that fell well short of Wall Street expectations, highlighting growing concerns about artificial intelligence disruption in the financial services sector.
The analytics and credit rating company projected adjusted earnings per share for 2026 in the range of $19.40 to $19.65, significantly below analysts' consensus estimate of $19.94 according to data compiled by LSEG. The weak forecast sent shares plummeting 18% in premarket trading, extending what has already been a difficult start to 2026 for the company.
Fourth Quarter Results Disappoint
S&P Global's fourth-quarter performance also underwhelmed investors, with the company reporting adjusted net income of $4.30 per share compared to analysts' expectations of $4.33. Total quarterly revenue rose 9% to $3.92 billion, but the growth rate failed to impress markets already jittery about the impact of AI on traditional financial services.
The earnings miss comes at a particularly sensitive time as investors grapple with questions about how rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology might reshape entire industries. S&P Global, which provides essential financial data, analytics, and credit ratings to institutions worldwide, has not been immune to these concerns.
AI Disruption Fears Mount
The company's poor performance reflects broader market anxiety about AI's potential to disrupt traditional business models across the software and services sector. A recent selloff in technology shares has been driven partly by investor fears that AI advancements may render some existing services obsolete or dramatically reduce their value.
However, some analysts argue that companies like S&P Global, which possess large amounts of proprietary data and established benchmarks, may actually be better positioned to weather AI disruption than other firms. They suggest that AI-driven efficiency gains could potentially lift margins and improve long-term prospects for data-rich companies.
"Companies with unique datasets and strong market positions like S&P Global could potentially harness AI to enhance their offerings rather than be displaced by it," said one financial services analyst who requested anonymity.
Market Context and Broader Implications
The disappointing results from S&P Global add to mounting evidence that even established financial services companies are feeling pressure from technological change. The stock has already dropped 15% year-to-date through Monday's close, reflecting persistent investor concerns about the company's ability to adapt to an evolving landscape.
Interestingly, S&P's struggles come even as global technology companies are ramping up bond issuance to fund AI infrastructure buildouts, a trend that would typically boost demand for credit ratings services. The disconnect suggests investors are focusing more on potential long-term disruption than near-term business opportunities.
Major technology companies are expected to spend more than $600 billion this year on advanced chips and massive data centers needed to deploy and train AI systems, creating what should be a favorable environment for companies that provide essential financial infrastructure services.
Looking Ahead
The sharp market reaction to S&P Global's results underscores the heightened sensitivity around any signs of weakness in companies that could be affected by AI disruption. Investors appear to be pricing in significant uncertainty about how quickly artificial intelligence might transform various business sectors.
For S&P Global, the challenge will be demonstrating that its extensive databases, analytical capabilities, and market-leading positions provide sufficient competitive moats to protect against technological disruption. The company's next quarterly report will likely be closely watched for signs of how management plans to leverage AI technologies rather than be threatened by them.
The broader implications extend beyond S&P Global to other data-dependent businesses that may face similar questions about their long-term viability in an AI-driven economy. How these companies adapt and evolve their offerings could determine whether they thrive or struggle in the coming years.
Published: February 10, 2026 at 3:31 PM UTC
Sources: Reuters, LSEG, Company Reports