U.S. job openings fall less than expected in April

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) published by the Labor Department on Monday showed a slight decrease (-0.3 percent m-o-m) in the U.S. job openings in April.

According to the report, employers posted 7.449 million job openings in April, compared to the March figure of 7.474 million (revised from 7.488 million in original estimate) and economists’ expectations of 7.400 million. The job openings rate was 4.7 percent in April, the same as in the prior month. The report showed that the number of job openings was little changed for total private and for government. The job openings level increased in federal government (+22,000) and educational services (+20,000). Job openings declined in professional and business services (-172,000).

Meanwhile, the number of hires edged up to 5.937million in April from 5.697 in March. The hiring rate was 3.9 percent, up from 3.8 percent in March. The hires level edged up for total private (+217,000) and was little changed for government. Hires rose in real estate and rental and leasing (+34,000).

The separation rate in April was at 5.578 million or 3.7 percent, compared to 5.508 million or 3.7 percent in March. Within separations, the quits rate was 2.3 percent (flat m-o-m), and the layoffs rate was 1.2 percent (+0.1 pp m-o-m).