U.S. Job Openings Fall Short of Expectations, Suggesting Economic Slowdown

The U.S. job market showed signs of weakness in July, with the number of job openings falling below expectations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that job openings declined to 7.18 million in July, significantly lower than analysts’ forecasts and down from the previous month’s record. This decline comes amidst a broader economic slowdown marked by a tighter labor market, increased layoffs, and lingering uncertainty fueled by interest rate hikes and trade tensions.