Job openings rise more than expected, remaining near record high

Job openings in the US increased more than expected in November, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) released on Tuesday.

Openings totaled 5.522 million, rising from a downward revised tally of 5.451 million in October, and more than expected. Economists had forecast 5.5 million openings.

While the monthly jobs report provides a breakdown of employment, the JOLTS report into how many opportunities are available as well as the pace of layoffs and resignations.

The quits rate was unchanged for a sixth straight month at 2.1%, staying near the highest level since the recession. A higher quits rate suggests that people have more options in the labor market or are confident in finding new jobs after they resign, and is one of the labor-market indicators that Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has favored.

The December jobs report released on Friday showed that US wages rose at the fastest pace since mid-2009 as the economy added 175,000 nonfarm payrolls, fewer than expected.