US Job Openings Drop to Lowest Since 2020, Layoffs Edge Up

US job openings unexpectedly fell in December to the lowest level since 2020 and layoffs edged up, adding to evidence of sluggish demand for workers.

Available positions decreased to 6.54 million from a downwardly revised 6.93 million reading in November, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out Thursday. The latest figure was below all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists.