The Fed got another sign that the labor market continues marching forward: JOLTS job openings for August rose to 4.84 million, a new post crisis high and actually the highest since 2001.
The dollar is advancing, but only very gradually and very slowly in the response to this release.
JOLTS job openings were expected to stand at 4.71 million in August after 4.67 million in July (before revisions). This was now revised down to 4.605 million.
The US dollar was on the retreat before the publication: EUR/USD traded around 1.2630, GBP/USD at 1.6115 and USD/JPY around 108.20.
The JOLTS figure gets its importance from the Fed focus, especially from Bernanke’s era and despite being a late figure: the Non-Farm Payrolls report for September is already out, and this figure relates to August.
At the same time, the IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism was released and it was expected to rise from 45.2 to 46.3 points. We have a disappointment here with no change at 45.2 points.
The big event of the week is also Fed related: we will get the FOMC meeting minutes tomorrow and they could provide more hints about the next moves of the central bank.
Later today, two FOMC members will make public appearances. Bill Dudley, that already commented on the strong dollar, is set to make headlines.
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