Economic Data Impact - In June, US factory orders fell by 4.8% month-on-month, marking the largest single-month decline since April 2020, driven primarily by a 22.4% drop in transportation equipment orders [1] - Non-transportation equipment orders increased by 0.4%, exceeding market expectations and representing the largest increase in seven months [1] Employment Data Concerns - July non-farm payrolls increased by only 73,000, significantly below the expected 110,000, marking the smallest increase in five years [3] - The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.2%, and the labor force participation rate fell to 62.2%, the lowest since November 2022 [3] Market Reactions - The weak economic data has led to increased speculation on the Federal Reserve accelerating interest rate cuts, with expectations for a 25 basis point cut in September rising from 63.1% to 95.9% [3] - US stock markets reacted positively, with the Nasdaq rising by 1.95%, the Dow Jones by 1.34%, and the S&P 500 by 1.47% [5] Venture Capital and Technology Sector - Lower interest rates are expected to boost venture capital funding and exits, particularly for tech startups that require funding to sustain operations [6][7] - Major tech companies are significantly increasing capital expenditures to maintain competitiveness in AI, with Amazon's capital spending exceeding $100 billion in the past year [6] IPO Activity and Market Sentiment - Recent successful IPOs, such as Figma, which saw a first-day increase of 250%, indicate a strong market sentiment towards tech and AI ventures [8] - The upcoming IPOs, including Firefly Aerospace and Bullish, reflect a growing interest in the tech sector despite potential valuation concerns [8] Risks in the AI Sector - The competition for talent in the AI sector has led to rising labor costs, which could impact profitability for startups that are not yet generating sustainable revenue [9][10] - There is a risk of overvaluation in the tech sector, particularly for AI startups that may not have a clear path to profitability, raising concerns about a potential market correction [10]