US job openings rise unexpectedly in December

However, workers continued to grow a tad more reticent to try their luck and switch jobs.

According to the Department of Labor, the number of job openings jumped at a month-on-month pace of 3.1% to reach 9.026m (consensus: 8.75m).

Hiring meanwhile, picked up by 1.2% on the month to hit 5.621m.

The so-called 'quits' rate was steady at 2.2%, but in absolute terms voluntary separations - or quits - fell by 3.7% from November to 3.392m.