National jobless rate ticks up

The U.S. unemployment rate ticked up a tenth of a point to 5.7 percent in January compared to December.

Last month, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 257,000, led by job gains in retail trade, construction, health care, financial activities and manufacturing, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

Retail trade employment rose by 46,000 positions last month, with sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores adding 9,000 jobs; motor vehicle and parts dealers adding 8,000; and nonstore retailers, 6,000.

In the construction industry, payroll increased by 39,000 jobs. Residential building and special trade contractors added 13,000 jobs apiece, and nonresidential building added 9,000, according to the release.

Health care employment increased by 38,000, led by job gains in physicians’ offices, at 13,000; hospitals, 10,000; and residential care facilities, 7,000.

Financial activities employers added 26,000 jobs in January, with insurance and related activities leading gains, at 14,000, the BLS reports.

In manufacturing, employers hired another 22,000 people last month, led by 7,000 in motor vehicles and parts and 4,000 in wood products.

The number of unemployed in the nation was about 9 million last month, according to the release.