US Job Openings Hold Steady, With Few Layoffs and Weak Hiring

US job openings were little changed in August while hiring was subdued, suggesting gradually ebbing demand for workers.

Available positions ticked up to 7.23 million from a revised 7.21 million reading in July, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published Tuesday. Openings have dropped from a peak in early 2022 and have now settled in a narrow band for the past year.

Economists are closely watching for any further signs of softening as employers have pulled back on hiring, and it’s taking longer for unemployed people to find a new position. The hiring rate last month edged down ...