National unemployment rate rises slightly

The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.9 percent last month, up slightly from 7.8 percent in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

January nonfarm payroll employment rose by 157,000 jobs, led by increases in retail trade, construction, health care and wholesale trade, according to a news release.

Employment in the retail trade industry rose by 33,000 in January, compared to an average monthly gain of 20,000 in 2012.

In construction, employment rose by 28,000 jobs, nearly all of which was specialty trade contractors, the release said.

The health care industry added 23,000 jobs last month, led by increases in ambulatory health care services.

Wholesale trade employment rose by 15,000 positions, the most significant increase occurring in the nondurable goods component industry, according to the BLS.

At 12.3 million, the number of unemployed in the country changed little during January.