US Job Openings Decrease to Lowest Level Since September
US job openings fell last month to the lowest since September, indicating weaker labor demand amid increased economic uncertainty.
Available positions decreased to 7.19 million from a revised 7.48 million reading in February, according to monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics data published Tuesday. The figure was below all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists.
However, layoffs dropped and more workers quit their jobs voluntarily, somewhat tempering the vacancies figure — which was near levels last seen in 2020.
The data indicate that demand for workers is weakening as employers put spending plans on hold until they have better clarity on President Donald Trump’s policies. The administration continues to press forward with widespread tariffs, which many economists contend will slow growth and raise the odds of a recession.
The Trump administration will get its first economic report card on Wednesday with the government’s initial estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product, which is projected to show a marked slowdown. Economists will further parse the April employment report on Friday, in which the median forecast calls for a notable moderation in job growth and the unemployment rate to hold steady.
Source : Bloomberg
