The number of US job openings edged up by 65,000 in April from March to 6.7 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the highest level since the series began in December 2000.

Hires and separations were little changed.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 4.3% in April, unchanged from March but up from 4.0% in April 2017.

Reuters reported hiring continued to lag, pointing to a worsening shortage of workers.

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