December JOLTS: Slide in openings signals labor demand remains weak
|Summary
The December JOLTS report underscored the labor market remains in a precarious position. Job openings fell to 6.5 million and are down around 10% over the past year. The ongoing slide suggests a turnaround in hiring conditions is not yet upon us. Turnover data also suggest labor market activity remains subdued. The hiring and quit rates remained near their lowest levels in roughly a decade in December, excluding the initial months of the pandemic.
The low hiring environment and subdued rate of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs risks pushing layoffs higher. The layoff rate remained at 1.1% in December, but more forward-looking data from Challenger show job cut announcements trending higher. While announcements have not risen to a degree that signal a mass loss in employment, the pickup is a reminder that firms are not opposed to cutting headcount when other options have been exhausted.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.