Amazon stock rises after AWS launches Europe-only “sovereign cloud” as AI buildout stays in focus
New York, January 15, 2026, 16:22 EST — After-hours Amazon.com shares climbed about 0.7% to $238.20 in after-hours trading Thursday following the launch of a Europe-only “sovereign cloud” by its AWS unit. The new service keeps data and operations strictly within EU rules, with data centres physically and legally isolated from AWS’s other servers. Michael Hanisch, CTO of AWS Germany, said the setup could continue operating even if the EU lost internet access or if the U.S. restricted software exports. Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google are also targeting this regulated market segment. (Reuters) Timing is crucial. Europe’s drive for “digital sovereignty”