MO unemployment rate flat in October

Missouri's unemployment rate held steady at 6.9 percent in October, according to the state Department of Economic Development.

Nonfarm payrolls added 13,000 jobs last month, and for the calendar year, employers have created 25,500 new jobs. In 2011, the state recorded a gain of 21,497 jobs, according to a news release.

The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped three-tenths of a point in September to 6.9 percent, the lowest point for the state since December 2008.

Missouri's unemployment rate - which has been lower than the national average for 38 consecutive months - peaked at 9.7 percent during the recession, the release said.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose a tenth of a point to 7.9 percent in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.