Job openings in April slipped to 8.06 million, down by nearly 300,000 from March and the lowest since February 2021.Job openings fell more than forecast in April, signaling a potential weakening in the labor market that could provide the Federal Reserve more impetus to start lowering interest rates.showed that the level of employment vacancies slipped to 8.06 million for the month, down by nearly 300,000 from March and nearly 19% lower than a year ago.
Fed officials watch the JOLTS report closely for signs of labor market slack as they look for direction on monetary policy. Policymakers have held benchmark interest rates at 23-year highs as they wait for more convincing evidence that inflation is progressing back to the central bank's 2% goal. Market pricing is pointing towards an initial rate cut coming in September.
While job openings slid, hires moved slightly higher as did separations and quits, a sign of worker confidence in the ability to move to other positions.By industry, information technology saw the biggest percentage drop in openings, down 1.3% for the month. Two industries that had been big job gainers, health care and leisure and hospitality, saw notable drops in openings, down 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.