Job openings fell again in April, hitting lowest level since February 2021 in a sign of labor market weakening

Moreover, the total marked the lowest since February 2021. The ratio of job openings to available workers edged down from 1.2 to 1, after being around 2 to 1 when openings peaked above 12 million in March 2022.

Fed officials watch the JOLTS report closely for signs of labor market slack as they look for direction on monetary policy. Policymakers have held benchmark interest rates at 23-year highs as they wait for more convincing evidence that inflation is progressing back to the central bank’s 2% goal. Market pricing is pointing towards an initial rate cut coming in September.

While job openings slid, hires moved slightly higher as did separations and quits, a sign of worker confidence in the ability to move to other positions.

By industry, information technology saw the biggest percentage drop in openings, down 1.3% for the month. Two industries that had been big job gainers, health care and leisure and hospitality, saw notable drops in openings, down 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.

The report, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, kicks off a big week of labor-related data.

On Wednesday, ADP will release its May estimate for private payrolls, with the Dow Jones estimate at 175,000 for May, down from 192,000 in April. Weekly jobless claims data will be reported on Thursday. Then on Friday, the BLS will release its pivotal May nonfarm payrolls report, which is expected to show growth of 190,000, after 175,000 the month before.