Job openings in the United States came in at 7.271 million, below the forecast of 7.3 million but above the previous period’s 7.182 million.
What the data measures
JOLTs Job Openings tracks the number of unfilled positions employers are actively seeking to fill. The figure is watched by policymakers and market participants as a gauge of labor market tightness and demand for workers across the economy.
The comparison
The reading rose from the previous period but fell short of expectations. The gap between openings and the forecast suggests labor demand came in slightly lighter than anticipated.
