The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that U.S. job openings unexpectedly increased in December and data for the prior month were revised higher, suggesting that the labour market likely remains too strong for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates in the first quarter. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that nevertheless, the labour market is gradually cooling, with the report from the Department of Labor on Tuesday also showing Americans staying put at their current jobs, which could help to slow wage growth. The number of people quitting their jobs was the lowest in nearly three years. There were 1.44 positions for every unemployed person, steady from November, but down from two jobs in March, 2022. Fed officials are expected to keep rates unchanged at the end of a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday against the backdrop of a resilient economy, which is being anchored by the labour market through consumer spending. Financial markets have lowered the odds of a rate cut in March to well below 50 per cent. Nationwide economist Ben Ayers says, "Persistent demand for workers, while positive for continued economic growth, may throw a wrench into efforts to cool inflation early in 2024."