The Investor
03 Nov 2026, 15:09
U.S. Job Openings and Factory Orders Beat Forecasts in September
U.S. economic data came in stronger than expected in September, with both job openings and factory orders exceeding market forecasts.
JOLTS job openings rose to 7.523 million, well above the 7.150 million forecast and up from 7.190 million previously. The stronger reading suggests labor demand remained relatively resilient despite signs of gradual cooling elsewhere in the employment market.
Factory orders increased 1.8% month over month, also beating the 1.2% forecast and accelerating sharply from the previous 0.3% increase.
The combination of stronger labor demand and faster factory-order growth points to firmer underlying economic activity than expected. For financial markets, the data may modestly reduce expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve easing, particularly if upcoming employment and inflation indicators also remain strong.
U.S. economic data came in stronger than expected in September, with both job openings and factory orders exceeding market forecasts.
JOLTS job openings rose to 7.523 million, well above the 7.150 million forecast and up from 7.190 million previously. The stronger reading suggests labor demand remained relatively resilient despite signs of gradual cooling elsewhere in the employment market.
Factory orders increased 1.8% month over month, also beating the 1.2% forecast and accelerating sharply from the previous 0.3% increase.
The combination of stronger labor demand and faster factory-order growth points to firmer underlying economic activity than expected. For financial markets, the data may modestly reduce expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve easing, particularly if upcoming employment and inflation indicators also remain strong.
