(Aug 4): US job openings eased in June but hiring picked up, indicating relatively steady demand for workers heading into the summer. 

Available positions fell to 7.36 million from 7.54 million in May, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out on Tuesday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 7.45 million openings.

The decrease in openings was driven by a pullback in healthcare, leisure and hospitality, wholesale trade and business services. Layoffs were little changed. 

Tuesday’s report aligns with a stable labour market with limited layoffs. Resilient consumer spending continued to support employers’ hiring plans, though some remained cautious to boost headcount.

Hiring picked up, fuelled by healthcare and construction. Leisure and hospitality hiring declined for a third month to the lowest level since early 2025, undercutting expectations that the Fifa World Cup would spur demand for workers. 

The so-called quits rate, which measures the percentage of people voluntarily leaving their jobs each month, was unchanged at 2%.

The report also showed there was about one vacancy per unemployed worker, which is broadly consistent with a balanced labour market. Federal Reserve officials watch this ratio closely as a proxy for the balance between labour demand and supply. At its peak in 2022, the ratio was two to one.

Recent jobless claims data have shown few signs of widespread layoffs despite some high-profile job-cut announcements by companies including Visa Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc.

The government’s monthly jobs report due on Friday will offer additional insights into the state of the labour market. Economists expect it to show the US created 80,000 jobs in July. A separate job-posting index from Indeed rose in July to the highest level in two months. 

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