"US Job Openings Reach 3-Month High, Signaling Strong Labor Market Growth"

Job openings in the U.S. increased to over 9 million in December, indicating a robust labor market despite the Federal Reserve's desire for a softer economy. While hiring has slowed, businesses are still adding workers, and the number of people quitting jobs has decreased. Most new job openings were in white-collar professional occupations, manufacturing, and healthcare, with a decline in wholesale and transportation. The labor market has cooled off but remains strong, with the unemployment rate at 3.7% and the economy expected to add 185,000 new jobs in January. This could complicate the Fed's decision on when to cut U.S. interest rates, as Wall Street anticipates a rate cut by spring or early summer.