US Job Openings Hit 7.62M as Anthropic’s $965B Pre-IPO Valuation Raises AI Stakes
MSFT•Yardeni Research finds US job openings reached 7.62 million in April, led by 69% jump at one-to-nine employee firms and 64% surge in professional services, while ISM manufacturing PMI hits 54.0. Anthropic’s $965 billion valuation and $65 billion funding ahead of IPO underscore intensifying AI competition that could reshape Microsoft’s investment returns.
1. AI-Driven Labor Market Expansion
US job openings climbed to 7.62 million in April, marking the highest level since May 2024, with one-to-nine employee firms driving a 69% month-over-month gain and professional and business services up 64%. Manufacturing activity also strengthened as the ISM manufacturing PMI rose to 54.0, signaling broad industrial expansion and increased demand for cloud and AI infrastructure.
2. Anthropic’s Pre-IPO Valuation Intensifies AI Competition
Anthropic is preparing for an initial public offering with a $965 billion valuation, backed by $65 billion in funding and projected Q2 revenue of $10.9 billion. Amazon and Alphabet hold the largest stakes, and the IPO could intensify competitive pressures on existing AI investors including Microsoft, as the landscape for enterprise AI services grows more crowded.
