Business Briefs: Hiring may be on the horizon

Market Watch

Hiring may be

on the horizon

WASHINGTON — Job openings rose in July after two months of declines, a positive sign that companies could step up hiring. The Labor Department says the number of jobs advertised rose by 6.2 percent to 3.04 million. That's the highest total since April, when temporary census hiring inflated that month's figure. Even with the increase, total openings remain far below the 4.4 million that existed in December 2007, when the recession began. The report, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey, indicates heavy competition for jobs. In July, 4.8 unemployed people, on average, were vying for each opening.

Court kicks suit against Boeing

SAN FRANCISCO — A sharply divided federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit challenging Boeing Co.'s role flying terrorism suspects to secret prisons around the world as part of the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" program. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cited national security risks in its 6-5 ruling. The lawsuit was filed by five men suspected of terrorism who were arrested shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks and say they were flown to secret prisons where they were tortured.

Mortgage rates rise slightly

WASHINGTON — Applications for home loans dipped last week as mortgage rates ticked up slightly from the lowest level in decades. The Mortgage Bankers Association says overall applications fell 1.5 percent from a week earlier. Applications to refinance home loans fell 3.1 percent, the first drop in six weeks. Those taken out to purchase homes, however, rose 6.3 percent to the highest level since May. The numbers are adjusted for seasonal factors. The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose to 4.5 percent from 4.43 percent a week earlier.

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