MO unemployment holds steady

Missouri's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7 percent in March compared to February.

The national rate last month was 7.6 percent, representing the 43rd consecutive month the Missouri jobless rate has landed lower than the national rate, according to a Missouri Department of Economic Development news release.

Missouri's unemployment rate last month has fallen nearly three percentage points since a peak of 9.6 percent in August 2009.

Last month, the state's nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 8,600 jobs, which the DED attributed to the effect wintry weather had on industries such as construction. That industry had the largest employment decrease in March, with a loss of 3,400 jobs, the release said.