Job openings above consensus in June

The number of job openings increased to 5.9 million on the last business day of June, 

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires decreased to 6.7 million 

in June, but was still the second highest level in the series history. The largest 

monthly increase in hires occurred in May 2020. Total separations increased to 4.8 

million. Within separations, the quits rate rose to 1.9 percent while the layoffs and 
discharges rate was unchanged at 1.4 percent. These changes in the labor market 

reflected a limited resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed in March 

and April due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it.