Listen to today’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nqwUyvLDEvs7bV985k-gQ
Welcome back to the show! Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Oracle’s Larry Ellison is down an unmatched $49 billion this year after the plunge in software stocks
By Theron Mohamed — February 5, 2026
Larry Ellison’s net worth fell to about $199 billion as Oracle shares slid amid a broader selloff in software tied to fears that new AI tools could reduce demand for legacy applications. Oracle’s aggressive AI bets and growing debt have sparked skepticism, with Michael Burry publicly questioning the strategy. The company’s massive remaining performance obligations highlight big expectations—but also execution and balance-sheet risks.
Anthropic’s latest AI tool was seen by the legal software industry as a ‘shot across the bow.’ Here’s what it means.
By Melia Russell — February 5, 2026
Anthropic’s new legal plugin for Claude spurred a sharp selloff in legal-tech incumbents, intensifying debate over whether open AI agents can challenge walled-garden platforms like Thomson Reuters and LexisNexis. Startups argue speed and flexibility will win; incumbents point to vetted content and lower hallucination risk. The market reaction suggests investors are now pricing real competitive threats to entrenched legal software moats.
The AI revolution is here for software companies — and they’re terrified
By Alistair Barr — February 5, 2026
New AI agents like Anthropic’s Cowork and open-source tools such as OpenClaw could reduce seat-based SaaS demand and even replace apps with AI-driven workflows. Mid-sized vendors face a squeeze between nimble AI-native startups and tech giants bundling AI, while usage-based pricing and orchestration layers are reshaping business models. The takeaway: incumbents must embrace agents, redesign products, and rethink pricing—or risk being disrupted.
Wall Street apparently believes the future involves making your software instead of buying it
By Mike Pearl — February 5, 2026
Analysts linked a software-sector selloff to Anthropic’s legal plugin, reinforcing a view that firms may increasingly “vibecode” solutions in AI tools rather than buy purpose-built software. Similar jitters hit gaming names after Google’s Project Genie, underscoring a broader investor recalibration. The risk for workers: fewer best-in-class tools if employers lean on generalized AI subscriptions over specialized software.
Bitcoin slips below $71,000 as AI-driven tech rout worsens
By Shaurya Malwa — February 5, 2026
Bitcoin dropped as much as 7.5% amid a broader tech-led risk-off move, reflecting its high-beta behavior during equity drawdowns. Heavy liquidations and deleveraging followed, with traders citing balance-sheet mechanics over narrative as the driver. Weakness in precious metals added to the pressure, signaling a cross-asset unwind.
Bitcoin climbs back above $71,000 as tech selloff pauses
By Shaurya Malwa — February 5, 2026
Prices rebounded on what analysts say looked like short covering rather than fresh spot demand, with stablecoin balances on exchanges drifting lower. Macro uncertainty around rates, Fed leadership, and a stronger dollar persists, keeping risk appetite muted. Some desks warn of potential retests toward the low-to-mid $60,000s absent a new catalyst.
ePlus Q3 earnings call highlights
By MarketBeat — February 4, 2026
ePlus posted strong Q3 growth and raised guidance as AI and security spending drove product demand, while managed services grew and professional services lagged on retail delays. Profitability improved sharply with operating leverage, though management flagged a potential near-term industry memory shortage that could affect AI deployment timing. Investors get a clearer view of AI as a tailwind, tempered by supply-chain risks.
Netgear Q4 earnings call highlights
By MarketBeat — February 4, 2026
Netgear achieved its first year of revenue growth since 2020, with record gross margins driven by enterprise mix, Pro AV momentum, and expanding software/recurring revenue. Guidance points to Q1 margin headwinds from rising memory costs and a small restructuring to streamline operations. Management sees AI as a long-term tailwind but warns that memory supply dynamics could pressure consumer margins later in the year.
Conclusion: From AI agents challenging traditional software models to ripple effects across equities and crypto, this week underscored how quickly automation is redrawing the competitive map. Corporate updates from ePlus and Netgear show AI as both a growth catalyst and a cost/supply wildcard. For investors, the theme is clear: watch how incumbents adapt their pricing, product design, and supply chains as AI shifts demand and market structure.
