U.S. labour market improvement set to continue

Today's US data are confined to second-tier releases in the shape of the NFIB small business optimism survey and the 'JOLTS' job openings report. 

The JOLTS report which has taken on additional importance given the attention placed on it by the FOMC - has seen a sharp rise in job openings in recent months, with the latest report showing a 30% increase on the year. 

Lloyds Bank notes in a report on Tuesday:

Further improvements would point to ongoing increases in US employment, building on the firm labour market report last week and would provide yet another indication into the underlying strength of the US economy.