Figures released south of the border Tuesday show monthly jobs openings — a gauge of the U.S. economy that's closely watched by the Federal Reserve Chair — increased in June from May.
The U.S. Labor Department said its number of openings was at 6.2 million on the last business day of the month, a record high -- an increase from 5.7 million on the last business day of May.
For the month of June, the department reported hires and separations were little changed at 5.4 million and 5.2 million, respectively.
U.S. job openings had previously risen to a series high in April, increasing to a seasonally adjusted 6.0 million.
Job openings grew in June most notably across professional and business services by 179,000, with health-care and construction industries increasing the second and third most at 125,000 and 62,000, respectively.
The department noted that the hiring rate was little changed at 3.7% in June, representing both total private and government hiring. Hires decreased for educational services by 29,000, but were little changed for all other industries.
