Job Openings in U.S. Declined to Seven-Month Low in December

Job openings in the U.S. unexpectedly declined in December to a seven-month low even as workers increasingly left positions voluntarily, Labor Department data showed Tuesday.

The labor market remains at historically strong levels despite the drop in vacancies. A pickup in the quits rate that shows Americans are more confident in finding another job. The report also showed the fewest layoffs since April.