New York, Jan 15, 2026, 09:33 EST — Regular session
- Amazon shares dropped roughly 2.5% early Thursday, mirroring a volatile session for major tech names
- AWS rolled out a Europe-exclusive “sovereign cloud” designed to meet strict data-security and sovereignty requirements
- Investors are grappling with new legal risks as Amazon announced plans to appeal an Italian antitrust fine
Amazon.com shares dipped in early Thursday trading following the launch of a new Europe-based service by its cloud division, targeting clients concerned about data location and access. The stock fell $6.00 to $236.65, down from an opening price of $241.00.
This matters as AWS pushes deeper into government and regulated sectors across Europe, where “sovereignty” has evolved from a buzzword into a hard requirement—meaning data and operations must stay within the bloc. Simply put, a sovereign cloud is built to ensure data residency and control remain under a given jurisdiction’s authority.
AWS announced its new European Sovereign Cloud will be physically and legally separate from its U.S. regions, with the first data centre currently being built in Brandenburg, Germany. Additional centres are planned as part of an investment exceeding 7.8 billion euros. Michael Hanisch, AWS Germany Chief Technology Officer, said the structure is designed to keep running even in extreme cases like a U.S.-EU digital divide or U.S. software export controls. Operations will be managed by a German company employing EU citizens. 1
The pitch comes amid stiff competition. Microsoft and Google have already rolled out Europe-based solutions targeting customers wary of the U.S. Cloud Act, which can compel American companies to hand over data stored overseas. This remains a major concern for some buyers. 1
Still, traders pushed the stock lower amid ongoing shifts in market leadership. U.S. index futures climbed earlier, driven by a semiconductor rally. But after a tough start for the Nasdaq, investors are pulling back from pricey tech names. 2
Amazon faces legal pressure in Europe as well. On Wednesday, the company announced it will challenge an Italian court ruling that cut a fine related to claims of abusing its dominant role in Italy’s e-commerce logistics market. Amazon insists it “should not be charged at all.” 3
This case shows regulatory news can shake sentiment, even if the main story revolves around products. If EU scrutiny intensifies or court rulings go against them, it might disrupt spending plans and push costs higher.
AWS hasn’t disclosed any customer targets for its new sovereign cloud, leaving investors eager for early adoption signs, pricing details, and how building separate infrastructure will affect margins. 1
Next on deck is Amazon’s quarterly report, set for Feb. 5 on most market calendars. Investors will also be watching closely for updates on the European rollout and any early customer wins tied to the sovereign cloud. 4
