Overview

• Employers posted 7.4 million job openings in June, down from 7.7 million in May and below the 7.5 million economists had forecast.
• The number of workers quitting their jobs declined, reflecting diminished confidence in finding new positions.
• Layoff levels held steady, indicating companies are largely retaining staff despite slower recruitment.
• Private payrolls rose by just 74,000 in June, marking the weakest monthly gain since last October.
• The unemployment rate edged down as hiring in local government and education roles offset private-sector softness.