WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the text of the National
Federation for Independent Business summary of its April hiring survey
with 1,817 responses, published Thursday:

Job Creation Weakens in April but Prospects Improve

“April was another tenuous month for small businesses, sending
mixed signals about what the future holds.

“On the job creation front, the news was only fair. The net change
in employment per firm (seasonally adjusted) came in at 0.1; this is
down from March but still positive. Seasonally adjusted, 12 percent of
owners surveyed added an average of 3.3 workers per firm over the past
few months, and 14 percent reduced employment an average of 2.9 workers
per firm. The remaining 74 percent of owners made no net change in
employment.

“Many news stories have reported a trend that is bearing out in the
small-business sector: the ability to find qualified applicants for
available jobs is a problem. Forty-seven (47) percent of owners hired or
tried to hire in the last three months. Thirty-four (34) percent of
owners (or 72 percent of those trying to hire or hiring) reported few or
no qualified applicants for positions. While firms have eased lay-offs,
they haven’t resumed strong hiring. Unemployment claims remain high and
seasonal adjustments are off track as hiring, normally done in March and
April, may have occurred earlier in the year.

“The percent of owners reporting hard-to-fill job openings rose 2
points to 17 percent, one point below the January 2012 reading which is
the highest we’ve reported since June 2008. Hard-to-fill job openings
are a strong predictor of the unemployment rate, making the gain in
openings a welcome development. The net percent of owners planning to
create new jobs is 5 percent, a 5 point increase after taking a plunge
in March. Not seasonally adjusted, 18 percent plan to increase
employment at their firm (up 3 points), and 5 percent plan reductions
(unchanged from March).

“Overall, the April NFIB survey anticipates some strength in the
job creation number with little change in the unemployment rate. With
job creation plans rebounding, the outlook is a bit more optimistic for
the second quarter, but it’s important that we not get ahead of
ourselves. April was no ‘barn burner’ for job growth.”

** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **

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