Traders add to bets on Fed rate cuts after job openings data

March 11 (Reuters) - Traders of U.S. short-term interest-rate futures added to bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts on Tuesday, with three quarter-point reductions seen as likely by October, after a report showed job openings increased in February.

The chance of a May start to the cuts rose to nearly 50-50, based on pricing of futures contracts tied to the Fed policy rate. However, June was still seen as the more likely kickoff to a series of cuts that would put short-term borrowing costs in the 3.5%-3.75% range by the Fed's October meeting.