Economics
U.S. Job Openings Increased in July by More Than Forecast
- Competition fierce with 2.5 unemployed vying for every vacancy
- Voluntary quits rate closes in on level from start of year
Photographer: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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U.S. job openings increased for a third straight month in July, consistent with a steady improvement in the labor market as the nation grinds its way forward from a pandemic-induced recession.
The number of available positions rose to 6.62 million during the month from a revised 6 million in June, according to the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, released Wednesday. The figure exceeded all projections in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Openings that involve workers recalled from layoffs or positions that are only offered internally are not counted in the figure.