US jobless rate ticks up after hitting 9-year low

The nation’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a point in December to 4.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That follows November’s 4.6 percent rate, the lowest level since 2007.

Last month, U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 156,000 jobs, according to a news release.

December job gains were led by:
    •    health care, at 43,000;
    •    food services and drinking places, 30,000;
    •    social assistance, 20,000;
    •    manufacturing, 17,000;
    •    transportation and warehousing, 15,000; and
    •    financial activities, 13,000.

Industries with little change included professional and business services, mining, construction, and wholesale and retail trade, according to the release.

The number of unemployed in the United States was little changed at 7.5 million in December.

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