U.S. job openings rose by 2.9 percent in June from May, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 2.7 percent in June, unchanged from May.

The number of hires fell by 2.2 percent in June from the previous month, but was up 3.6 percent year over year.

Separations fell 4.1 percent in June from May, but rose 4.0 percent on a year-over-year basis. Separations include involuntary job losses as well as voluntary job losses such as from quits and retirements.

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