National unemployment rate holds steady

The U.S. unemployment rate changed little in February, despite an increase in nonfarm payroll figures tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The February jobless rate was flat at 6.7 percent compared to January. Last month, nonfarm employers added 175,000 jobs, according to a BLS news release.

During the month, notable increases were recorded in the professional and business services and wholesale trade industries. The information industry experienced a decrease.

Employers in the professional and business services industries added 79,000 jobs last month. The sector has added an average 56,000 jobs per month during the past 12 months, according to the release.

Wholesale trade employers hired an additional 15,000 in February, largely attributed to 12,000 durable goods jobs. The industry has averaged 9,000 per month during the past 12 months

The information industry lost 16,000 jobs in February, with the motion picture and sound recording category slipping by 14,000 jobs. The BLS noted the industry can be volatile on a month-to-month basis.

The number of unemployed in the U.S. was roughly 10.5 million as of February, unchanged from January. The number of involuntary part-time workers - those who work part time for economic reasons - was little changed at 7.2 million, according to the release.