US job openings at 7.6M in December, lower than estimates

​​​​​​​By Tuba Ongun

US job openings fell 556,000 to 7.6 million in December, below estimates, according to Labor Department figures released Tuesday.

The market expected the figure would hit 8.01 million. In November, the number of openings was revised up by 58,000 to 8.2 million.

The number of hires saw little change, around 5.5 million, and its rate remained unchanged at 3.4% in December.

Total separations, which include quitting, layoffs and discharges, was broadly stable at 5.3 million in December, while its rate was constant at 3.3%.

Some 3.2 million workers left their jobs in the world's largest economy in December, staying around a rate of 2%, the agency said in a statement.

Those leaving decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities -- by 42,000.

The Labor Department's survey measures job vacancies by collecting data from employers about employment, job openings, hiring, and separations.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, considers job openings for all positions that are open or not filled on the last business day of the month when the survey is done.