Missouri unemployment rate sticks at 9.5 percent

Missouri's unemployment rate remained stagnant in December at a seasonally-adjusted rate of 9.5 percent, unchanged from the November figure, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Missouri's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment was 2.6 million in December, a decrease of 6,500 jobs from November. Losses were incurred in the areas of construction, 1,800; trade, transportation and utilities, 2,800; and leisure and hospitality, 1,600.

Losses were partially offset by smaller gains in private service industries, the release said.

In the release, DED speculated that rough winter weather condition may have affected employment in the areas of construction and leisure and hospitality.

The December seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased a tenth of a point from December 2009.

The not seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for December was 9.2 percent, a tenth of a point decrease from November, the release said.