US: Number of job openings edged down to 6.6 million in May

"The number of job openings edged down to 6.6 million on the last business day of May," the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Tuesday. Below are some key takeaways from the official statement.

• Over the month, hires and separations were little changed at 5.8 million and 5.5 million, respectively.
• Within separations, the quits rate and the layoffs and discharges rate were little changed at 2.4 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. 
• The job openings rate was 4.3 percent.
• The number of job openings decreased for total private (-228,000) and was little changed for government. 
• The number of hires was little changed at 5.8 million in May. The hires rate was 3.9 percent.