JOLTS Job Openings
Fri · Aug 7 · 10:00 AM ET
Release history
| Period | Actual | Prior | S&P that day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | 7.6M | 6.9M | +0.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 6.9M | 6.9M | +0.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 6.9M | 7.2M | +0.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 7.2M | 6.5M | +0.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 6.5M | 6.8M | -0.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 6.8M | 7.2M | +0.2% |
| Oct 2025 | 7.2M | 7.2M | +0.3% |
| Sep 2025 | 7.2M | 6.9M | -0.7% |
“S&P that day” = S&P 500 (SPY) close-to-close move on the release date — a proxy for the market’s reaction.
What is JOLTS Job Openings?
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), from the BLS, reports the number of open positions, hires, and quits across the U.S. economy. The headline figure is total job openings, in millions.
Why it moves markets
JOLTS measures labor demand and worker confidence. The Fed watches the ratio of openings to unemployed workers as a gauge of labor-market tightness and wage pressure; the "quits rate" signals how confident workers feel about switching jobs.
How to read it
Falling openings cool wage-inflation fears (often welcomed by the Fed), but a sharp drop can warn of weakening demand. Compare openings to the number of unemployed — a ratio near or below 1 suggests a balanced market.
Upcoming releases
Times in U.S. Eastern (ET). Economic data from official sources (FRED); schedules and AI estimates may change. For information only — not investment advice.