- Prior month 6.946 million revised up to 7.240 million
- JOLTs job openings for February 6.882M vs 6.918M estimate
- Hires 4.849M vs 5.347M last month
- Separations 4.971M versus 5.144M last month
- Quits 2.974M vs 3.137M last month
- Layoffs and discharges 1.721M vs 1.660M last month.
The JOLTs job openings fell sharply from 7.240M last month to 6.882M this month. Prior month was revised higher from 6.946M previously reported. Lower job openings is indicative of a weakening labor picture.
Here are the February 2026 (p) changes for the major categories:
- Total: -358
- Total private: -307
Industry Breakdown (thousands) showed that all industries show declines with the exception of professional business services:
- Mining and logging: -12K
- Construction: -28K
- Manufacturing: -71K
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: -8K
- Information: -9K
- Financial activities: -28K
- Professional and business services: +64
- Private education and health services: -78K
- Leisure and hospitality: -213K
- Government: -51K
Key takeaway:
- Broad-based weakness, led by leisure & hospitality (-213) and education/health (-78)
- Only notable gain: professional & business services (+64)
The quits rate can serve as a measure of workers willingness to or ability to leave jobs. A number of quits fell indicative of less confidence in getting another job.
Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. The number of layoffs and discharges increased in the current month also indicative of a weaker jobs report.
Overall is a weaker report from the revised higher numbers from January. The jolts data is still above the low level from 2025 but the trend is to the downside.
The dollar is moving lower with the dollar falling to new lows vs the EUR, GBP, and JPY. The greenback still remains above the lows for the day versus the CHF, CAD, AUD. The dollar tested the low vs the NZD.
Oil prices are lower by about $0.41 but still above the $100 level at $102.75. Gold is higher by $94 or 2.08% of $4607. Silver is higher by $3.73 or 5.3% at $73.77. Both gold and silver are reacting to the lower dollar today.
US stocks are higher in getting a reprieve from the recent weakness. The NASDAQ is leading the way with a gain of 2.14%. The S&P is up 1.58% and the Dow industrial average is up 1.15%. The small-cap Russell 2000 is up 1.93%.
What is the JOLT Job Openings Report?
For background, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides comprehensive data on labor market dynamics by tracking job openings, hires, and separations across approximately 16,400 nonfarm establishments nationwide. Released typically on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET, the report measures unmet labor demand and became a closely watched indicator after former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen highlighted its importance in 2014. A job opening is defined as a position that is vacant on the last business day of the month, has work available, could start within 30 days, and involves active external recruiting. The survey also breaks down separations into quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations, offering insights into worker confidence and employer demand.
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.