Mo. jobless rate beats US for 25th straight time

Missouri’s unemployment rate in June was below the U.S. average for the 25th consecutive time, according to the state Department of Economic Development, but the state’s rate ticked up two-tenths of a point to 4.5 percent.

Likewise, the U.S. jobless rate increased two-tenths of a point to 4.9 percent, according to a news release.

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment totaled 2.8 million in June, which was flat from May but up from 2.79 million in June 2015, according to state data.

During June, the largest employment change in Missouri was in leisure and hospitality, which added 2,800 new jobs.

Retail trade, down 1,300 jobs from May, and wholesale trade, down by 1,000, were among offsetting industries.