According to our analysis USDJPY and EURUSD moved 21 pips on US BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLT) data on 1 April 2025.
USDJPY (17 pips)
EURUSD (4 pips)
Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).
JOLTS Report Breakdown – What February 2025 Tells Traders About the Labor Market
The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report dropped this morning, and while the headline summary says “little changed,” the details tell a more nuanced story for markets.
For February 2025:
Job Openings: 7.6 million (down 194,000 month-over-month, down 877,000 year-over-year)
Hires: 5.4 million (unchanged)
Total Separations: 5.3 million (unchanged)
Quits: 3.2 million (unchanged, down 273,000 year-over-year)
Layoffs & Discharges: 1.8 million (unchanged)
Here’s what it all means from a trading lens:
1. Job Openings Decline Continues
Job openings fell by 194,000 in February following a slight upward revision to January’s number. That’s nearly 900,000 fewer openings compared to a year ago. At 4.5%, the openings rate suggests employer demand is still solid but cooling.
Market Implication:
This labor market softening supports a dovish tilt from the Fed. A slower pace of hiring demand should help temper wage inflation, giving rate-cut narratives more traction. Expect continued strength in bonds and growth equities if this trend holds.
2. Quits Rate Remains Low
At 2.0%, the quits rate hasn’t budged. Workers still aren’t leaving jobs like they were a year ago, which points to reduced job-hopping confidence and easing wage pressures.
Market Implication:
Wage growth moderation is a positive signal for inflation control. This is especially bullish for duration-sensitive assets, including tech, Treasuries, and REITs.
3. Layoffs Up in Retail and Real Estate
The total number of layoffs and discharges held steady overall, but under the hood, key sectors saw increases:
Retail Trade: +67,000
Real Estate and Leasing: +24,000
Federal Government: +18,000
Transportation/Warehousing: -42,000 (a notable decline)
Market Implication:
Weakness in retail and real estate may translate into pressure on consumer and housing stocks. But fewer layoffs in transportation could support cyclical or industrial names.
4. Small Business Labor Pressure
Firms with 1–9 employees saw a decrease in quits and other separations but an increase in layoffs/discharges—hinting at mounting strain in the small business segment.
Market Implication:
Small caps and regional banks could feel more pressure if this continues. Keep an eye on the Russell 2000 and credit-sensitive financials.
5. January Revisions Worth Watching
Job openings revised up to 7.8M
Hires revised down by 22K
Quits revised down by 10K
Layoffs revised up by 39K
Market Implication:
While the revisions are modest, they reinforce the theme of a gradually softening labor market. That may strengthen the argument for Fed cuts if this trajectory continues.
Looking Ahead
The next JOLTS report (for March) lands April 29—right before the next FOMC meeting. If labor demand and confidence continue sliding, expect the market to more aggressively price in rate cuts for mid-2025.
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