The number of U.S. job openings in January rose 1.5 percent from December to 4.0 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — remained at 2.8 percent.

The number of hires fell 0.9 percent from December to about 4.5 million, and the number of separations edged down 0.4 percent to approximately 4.5 million.

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