US job openings fell to 7.359 million in June according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below the 7.454 million openings expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET and down from the 7.537 million openings reported in May.
The June level represents 4.4% of total employment, down from 4.5% in May but up from 4.3% a year earlier.
At the same time, hiring rose to 5.348 million from 5.252 million in May, lifting the hiring rate to 3.4% from 3.3% in May, unchanged from 3.4% a year ago.
Separations increased in the month to 5.351 million from 5.260 million in May. Quits and layoffs both increased.