Job Openings at U.S. Small Businesses Increase to Fresh Record

A record share of U.S. small-business owners reported unfilled positions in April, and firms are offering higher wages to lure workers, the National Federation of Independent Business said.

Some 44% of firms had job openings last month, and 59% of owners reported adding workers or trying to hire, the NFIB said in a report published Thursday. Almost one-third of small businesses raised compensation, the largest share in more than a year, and more companies said they plan to raise worker pay.