One month after the report of a surge in job openings, the BLS now reports a significant drop in December job openings, falling by 556,000 to 7.6 million. This marks the second lowest print since the covid crash.
The decrease in job openings was seen in professional and business services, health care, social assistance, and finance and insurance. However, job openings increased in arts, entertainment, and recreation.
Last month’s surge in professional service job openings was the largest on record, raising questions about its realism. Now, with the significant drop in job openings, the picture becomes clearer.
The number of job openings now sits close to the number of unemployed workers, signaling a tighter job market. Hires saw a modest increase, while quits also rose slightly.
Despite the downside shock in job openings, there is a glimmer of hope in the labor force as hires and quits show some positive movement.
It’s important to remember that the data is estimated, with a significant portion based on guesswork. The BLS’s response rate to surveys remains low, questioning the accuracy of the reported numbers.
In conclusion, the sudden collapse in the labor market calls for a closer look at the data. With uncertainties surrounding the accuracy of job opening numbers, the true state of the job market remains unclear.
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