What’s Changed in the April JOLTS Report

By Chris Lange Updated Jan 11, 10:46PM EST · Published Jun 5, 10:59AM EDT

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What’s Changed in the April JOLTS Report — © Thinkstock

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.

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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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About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.