The latest snapshot of job openings in the US shows that there were 7.74 million available positions in January, signaling renewed optimism from US employers to start the year.

U.S. job openings increased in January, but demand for labor is likely to soften in the months ahead amid concerns that uncertainty over import tariffs and aggressive government spending cuts could cause a sharp slowdown in economic activity.

Vacancies increased to 7.740 million, up from December's downwardly revised 7.508 million. The January figure came in above the expected 7.650 million.