U.S. labour market gains momentum

WASHINGTON — Job openings climbed in February to the highest level in almost five years, signalling U.S. employers were preparing to expand before federal government budget cuts took effect last month.

The number of positions waiting to be filled rose by 314,000 to 3.93 million, the most since May 2008, from a revised 3.61 million the prior month, the Labor Department said Tuesday. The pace of hiring increased to a three-month high.

The report, which followed data last week showing payroll gains cooled in March from a one-year high, indicates the labour market was gaining momentum.