US Job Openings Drop Below Expectations, Wall Street Extends Gains

Wall Street's main indexes extended gains as weaker-than-expected job openings data indicated easing labor demand, raising hopes that the Federal Reserve was nearing the end of its rate-hike cycle. The Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) revealed a decline in job openings to 8.827 million in July from 9.582 million in June, below analysts' expectations. Additionally, a report from the Conference Board showed a drop in consumer confidence in the United States in August.