U.S. job openings climbed unexpectedly to 8.1 million in November, the highest since February, defying forecasts of a slight decline, according to the Labor Department's latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).

US job openings rose to a six-month high in November, boosted by a jump in business services while other industries showed more mixed demand for workers.

Weekly applications for unemployment insurance in the US rose more than expected last week, while continuing claims reached their highest level since November 2021, government data showed Thursday. The seasonally adjusted number of initial claims increased by 6,