New federal data shows the U.S. job market weakened in October despite a small uptick in posted openings. The shutdown-delayed Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) reported 7.67 million vacancies, barely above September’s level, but hiring slowed, layoffs rose and the quits rate fell to a five-year low — a sign workers lack confidence to move jobs.
The report, released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was distorted by the government shutdown that lasted from October 1 to November 12, which blocked data collection and pushed back September figures.
Job Openings Reached Five-Month High In October—As Hiring Slowedhttps://t.co/QKEBZBxAtg pic.twitter.com/ZWHXWwwaNA
— Forbes (@Forbes) December 9, 2025
Still, it provides the first official October readout ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Wednesday rate decision.
The numbers show a labor market losing momentum, with turnover cooling and workers increasingly holding onto jobs.
Job openings rose a bit in October amid broader concerns about labor market https://t.co/g2HJ6tvtSJ
— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) December 9, 2025
The findings could influence the Fed’s assessment of whether the economy is softening enough to justify a policy shift.
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TIPP Staff
