US JOLTS job openings rose to 7.62 mln in April from 6.89 mln in March, the highest in nearly two years, with professional and business services contributing nearly all of the increase. Hires fell to 5.12 mln, partly offsetting March’s jump, while layoffs declined to 1.69 mln, indicating a resilient labor market despite corporate pressure from higher energy costs linked to the Iran war. Openings remain well below the pandemic reopening peak, but the stabilization in labor demand versus near‑zero

US JOLTS job openings rose to 7.62 mln in April from 6.89 mln in March, the highest in nearly two years, with professional and business services contributing nearly all of the increase. Hires fell to 5.12 mln, partly offsetting March’s jump, while layoffs declined to 1.69 mln, indicating a resilient labor market despite corporate pressure from higher energy costs linked to the Iran war. Openings remain well below the pandemic reopening peak, but the stabilization in labor demand versus near‑zero employment growth in 2025 may weaken the case for rate cuts and Fed officials are increasingly discussing the possibility of further hikes.