Mo. unemployment rate drops near U.S. level

Missouri’s unemployment rate dropped fourth-tenths of a point to 5.9 percent in October, down from 6.3 percent in September.

With the month-to-month decrease, the Show-Me State’s jobless rate moved closer to the national unemployment rate of 5.8 percent last month.

During October, Missouri employers added 2,400 jobs, with increases observed by the state Department of Economic Development in the financial and transportation, warehousing and utilities industries, according to a news release.

In the financial industry, payroll ranks rose by 1,500 positions last month. Employers in transportation, warehousing and utilities bumped up employment by 1,200 positions.

For the 12 months ended Oct. 31, Missouri employers added 48,400 jobs, according to the release.

The most recent data for the five-county Springfield metropolitan statistical area puts the unemployment rate at 5.1 percent in September.