The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has issued its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary, or the JOLTS report, for the month of April. This includes the number of job openings in America and comes with a one-month lag, compared with the payrolls and unemployment data from each month. While the numbers of the job openings and turnovers do not move the markets, they can confirm employment trends.
The number of job openings was little changed at 6.7 million, coming in just above the Bloomberg consensus estimate of 6.54 million. The previous number of job openings for March was revised to 6.63 million, up from 6.55 million.
The job openings rate was 4.3% in April 2018. The number of job openings was little changed for total private and for government segments. Job openings increased in durable goods manufacturing (+33,000) and information (+26,000) but decreased in finance and insurance (−84,000).
The number of hires was little changed at 5.6 million in April. The hires rate was 3.8%. Hires for total private and for government were little changed.
The number of total separations was little changed at 5.4 million in April. The total separations rate was 3.6%. The number of total separations was little changed for total private and for government.
The number of quits was little changed at 3.4 million in April. The quits rate was 2.3%. The number of quits was little changed for total private and increased for government (+17,000).
The number of layoffs and discharges edged up to 1.7 million in April. The layoffs and discharges rate increased to 1.2% over the month. The number of layoffs and discharges edged up for total private and was little changed for government.
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