Missouri unemployment rate improvements stop

Following three months of improvements, Missouri’s unemployment rate faltered in December.

The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate worsened to 3.5 percent last month, compared with 3.4 percent in November, 3.5 percent in October and 3.8 percent in September, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

During December, total nonfarm payroll ranks dropped by a net 1,600 jobs.

Decreases were led by:
    •    educational and health services, which dropped by 1,800 jobs;
    •    trade, transportation and utilities, 1,800;
    •    mining, logging and construction, 1,700; and
    •    government, 1,300.

Partially offsetting the decreases were 3,400 jobs added in leisure and hospitality, 1,600 in manufacturing and 1,100 in financial activities, according to the release.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December was 4.1 percent. According to the release, Missouri’s unemployment rate has been below the comparable national rate for 34 consecutive months.