The JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) report is a key monthly economic indicator released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that measures employment dynamics including job vacancies, hiring, and separations in the American labor market.
Published monthly since December 2000, the JOLTS report has become one of the Federal Reserve’s preferred metrics for assessing labor market health and has gained significant importance in economic analysis over the past two decades.
The JOLTS data directly impacts financial markets by providing crucial insights into labor market tightness – a higher number of job openings relative to unemployed workers typically signals economic strength and potential wage inflation, while declining openings may indicate economic cooling. This report can trigger volatility in equity markets, bond yields, and currency exchange rates, particularly when figures significantly deviate from market expectations.
Unlike physical economic events, the JOLTS report is a statistical release that traders and economists can access online through the Bureau of Labor Statistics website immediately upon publication, typically at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on the scheduled release date.
This economic indicator is particularly important for forex traders, bond investors, equity market participants, and anyone trading interest rate-sensitive instruments, as labor market conditions significantly influence Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions, which in turn affect asset valuations across multiple markets.