US: JOLTS Job Openings decline to 10.8 million in January vs. 10.6 million expected

• Job openings in the US declined marginally in January.
• US Dollar Index continues to fluctuate in daily range slightly above 105.50.

The data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed on Wednesday that the number of job openings on the last business day of January was 10.8 million, compared to 11.2 million in December. This reading came in slightly higher than the market expectation of 10.6 million.

"Over the month, the number of hires and total separations changed little at 6.4 million and 5.9 million, respectively," the BLS noted in its press release. "Within separations, quits (3.9 million) decreased, while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) increased."

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index showed no immediate reaction to this report and was last seen trading virtually unchanged on the day at 105.58.