US: Job openings rise to 7.3 million in December vs 6.9 million expected

"The number of job openings reached a series high of 7.3 million on the last business day of December," the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday.

Key takeaways from the press release

• The job openings rate was 4.7 percent.
• The number of job openings edged up for total private (+198,000) and was little changed for government. 
• Over the month, hires and separations were little changed at 5.9 million and 5.5 million, respectively.
• The number of hires was little changed at 5.9 million in December. The hires rate was 3.9 percent.