The numbers: Job openings nationwide fell slightly in June but topped 7 million for a record 15th month in a row, reflecting the strongest labor market in decades even as the U.S. faces stiffer economic challenges.
Similarly, the government’s own tally for employment growth for the month showed an increase of 193,000 new jobs. The rate for all workers, including government employees, was also flat at 2.3% for the 13th month in a row. The labor market is still quite strong, however, and that’s helping to extend what’s already the longest economic expansion in U.S. history. The big question on the minds of investors is whether the escalating trade fight with China does more damage to the U.S. and global economies.Read: The U.S. economy just entered a record-shattering 11th year of expansion