Shutterstock shares plunged nearly 30% after Getty Images scrapped its $3.7 billion merger following UK regulator objections. The Competition and Markets Authority required divestment of Shutterstocks editorial business, leading Getty to walk away. The collapse hit investor sentiment as both firms now face rising competition from AI-generated image tools.

The photo giant chalks up the scuttling of the deal to a U.K. regulator requiring a divestiture of its rival's editorial business, a non-starter for the company.

The $3.7B deal is being terminated after the UK required Shutterstock to sell its editorial business.