By DAN MCCUE
(CN) — U.S. employers posted fewer jobs in October than the previous month, but job openings remained at a healthy, suggesting steady hiring will extend into next year.
The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday that posted job openings slid 1.8 percent in October to 5.5 million.
Hiring also fell to just under 5.1 million, while the number of people who quit their jobs declined to about 3 million.
Analysts said Wednesday's numbers suggest hiring with continue at a moderate pace for the foreseeable future.
Last week the Labor Department's jobs report showed employers adding 178,000 jobs last month, on pace with the year's average monthly gain.
The same report said the nation's unemployment rate fell to a nine-year low of 4.6 percent.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.