US job openings fell 178,000 in June to 7.359 million

According to Reuters, published Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and carried by Donya-e-Eqtesad on Thursday, August 6, 2026 (15 Mordad 1405), the US Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed job openings fell by 178,000 at the end of June to 7.359 million, below the 7.4 million economists polled by Reuters had forecast. The job openings rate slipped to 4.4 percent in June from 4.5 percent in May. The healthcare and social assistance sector posted the largest decline, down 147,000, its biggest drop since July 2025. Hiring rose by 96,000 to 5.348 million. Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, said the overall picture remained a stable labor market. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate range at 3.50 to 3.75 percent last week, a decision three policy committee members opposed, calling instead for a 0.25 percentage point increase.