In February, the number of job openings changed little at 8.8 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Both hires and separations saw minimal change, with 5.8 million hires and 5.6 million total separations (including 3.5 million quits and 1.7 million layoffs and discharges, which also changed little). Job openings increased in finance and insurance (+126,000); state and local government, excluding education (+91,000); and arts, entertainment, and recreation (+51,000); but decreased in information (-85,000) and federal government (-21,000).