Job openings posted big September gain in positive sign for labor market ahead of payrolls report

Job openings rose to 7.52 million in September, up 333,000 from August and well above the Dow Jones consensus of 7.15 million, the BLS reported. The gain signals a resilient labor market ahead of Friday's payrolls report. Economists said the increase suggests employers are still hiring despite high interest rates, easing fears of a sharp slowdown.