US Job Openings Jump 333,000 to 7.523 Million as Layoffs Fall to 1.641 Million
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Nov 3
US Job Openings Jump 333,000 to 7.523 Million as Layoffs Fall to 1.641 Million
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Nov 3
Summary
7.523 million US job openings in September topped the 7.100 million forecast and rose from a revised 7.190 million in August, signaling stronger labor demand than payroll growth suggested.
333,000 more vacancies came with a rise in hiring to 5.402 million and a higher openings rate of 4.5%, even as economists said employers remained cautious about adding staff.
1.641 million layoffs and discharges marked a 127,000 drop, pushing the layoffs rate down to 1.0% and reinforcing the "low-hire, low-fire" pattern economists say is keeping the labor market firm.
29,000 nonfarm jobs were added in September, and economists now expect 65,000 in October with unemployment holding at 4.2%, making Friday's payrolls report the next key test.