Job openings in the United States reached a record high in April, signifying an increased confidence among small businesses. The encouraging numbers also point to signs that the U.S. economy was regaining momentum after stumbling during the first months of the year.
From the 5.11 million job openings in March, April's 5.38 million openings signify a significant increase. Compared with the same period during the past year, this April's job openings rose 22 percent. Openings in the private sector also increased 21 percent to 4.89 million, and openings in government positions rose from 367,000 to 489,000, according to Market Watch.
The National Federation of Independent Business has also stated that its Small Business Optimism Index had risen 1.4 points in May, ultimately reaching 98.3 points. The reading was the highest since last December, according to Reuters.
During the first quarter of the year, the economy contracted and got off to a slow start in the second quarter. Part of the reason behind it lies in the lingering effects of a strong dollar, as well as spending cuts in the energy sector.
The surge in job growth and sales, especially in the automobile industry, suggest that the economy may very well be strengthening. This is also evident among wholesalers, whose sales have surged 1.6 percent in April, showing the largest rise since March 2014, according to Reuters.
Apart from encouraging numbers in the wholesale sector, the number of separations, such as resignations and layoffs ,have also gotten significantly lower, dropping from 5.07 million in March to only 4.88 million in April.
