Why Snowflake stock slid 9%: AI disruption jitters swamp an OpenAI tie-up and a Postgres push

On February 3, 2026, Snowflake Inc. experienced a notable decline in its stock price, closing at 3.24 after a day of fluctuating between 3.49 and 9.08. This marked a 9.1% drop from the previous day’s close of 0.66. The downturn reflects a broader trend where investors are reassessing their positions in software and cloud stocks, particularly in light of the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence on pricing power and profit margins.

Market Sentiment and AI Developments

Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth, noted that many software companies are facing similar pressures, with some sectors appearing to be “priced for perfection.” The selloff was exacerbated by Anthropic’s recent launch of updated Claude Cowork “plug-ins,” which aim to automate various tasks across legal, sales, marketing, and data analysis sectors. Mike Archibald, portfolio manager at AGF Investments, remarked on the market’s tendency to react impulsively, suggesting that investors are concerned about how AI tools might diminish the “visibility premium” that has traditionally supported software valuations.

In response to these market dynamics, Snowflake has been proactive in enhancing its product offerings. The company announced that Snowflake Postgres will now operate natively within its AI Data Cloud, introducing new features focused on interoperability, governance, and resilience. These updates include integration with Microsoft OneLake and improved data backup tools, all aimed at facilitating the transition of AI projects from pilot phases to full-scale production. As Snowflake’s product chief Christian Kleinerman stated, the key challenge lies in ensuring that AI systems can consistently access necessary data.

Strategic Partnerships and Future Outlook

Just a day prior, Snowflake revealed a significant 0 million partnership with OpenAI, aimed at embedding AI models into its cloud data platform. This collaboration seeks to develop “AI agents” capable of executing multi-step tasks by interpreting natural language queries rather than relying solely on code. Snowflake emphasized that these OpenAI models will be available across all major cloud providers, with early adopters including Canva and WHOOP. Additionally, the company acknowledged the rising competition from Databricks in the AI space.

OpenAI framed this partnership as a pathway for enterprises to leverage models like GPT-5.2 within Snowflake’s Cortex AI and Snowflake Intelligence, allowing users to invoke models directly through SQL. Snowflake CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy expressed that this integration enables companies to build and deploy AI solutions on their most valuable asset—data. OpenAI’s Fidji Simo further characterized Snowflake as a “trusted platform that sits at the center” of enterprise data management.

For shareholders of Snowflake, the introduction of new AI features may enhance platform usage, but it also raises concerns about potential cost increases and heightened competition. The trading activity observed on Tuesday suggested that investors are currently prioritizing these risks over the promising product demonstrations.

Looking ahead, Snowflake is set to release its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year results on February 25, following the close of U.S. markets. A conference call is scheduled for 3 p.m. Mountain Time, where insights into the company’s performance and AI-driven demand are anticipated to influence market sentiment. Furthermore, CEO Ramaswamy and CFO Brian Robins will present at Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on March 3 at 4:05 p.m. Pacific time.

The evolving landscape of AI has transformed the market into a battleground for margins. Should investors speculate that AI agents will commoditize segments of analytics and back-office software faster than vendors can adapt their pricing strategies, the potential for recovery may be limited. As February 25 approaches, all eyes will be on Snowflake’s guidance and commentary regarding AI demand, which could significantly impact investor sentiment in the following week.

Tech Optimizer
Why Snowflake stock slid 9%: AI disruption jitters swamp an OpenAI tie-up and a Postgres push