State unemployment, consumer price index both rise

Missouri's unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a point in August, the state Department of Economic Development announced Wednesday.

The state unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, compared to 9.3 percent in July.

Statewide, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 6,700 jobs, including 1,600 jobs lost in construction and 2,300 jobs lost in the administrative and support sectors. Leisure and hospitality lost 1,400 jobs, as businesses wound down summer employment earlier than normal, according to a DED news release.

A few sectors did see increases. Health care and social assistance added 1,400 jobs, while local government - which includes public school employees - added 3,500 jobs.

Nationally, the August unemployment rate was 9.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index for the Midwest increased 0.4 percent in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the increase, however, the rate was 1.8 percent lower than the same time in 2008.

The increase was driven by higher prices for motor fuel; fuel prices increased 4.3 percent in August, accounting for more than half of the rise in the overall index.

The Midwest price increase from July to August was the largest of any region in the country - prices rose 0.3 percent in the Northeast, 0.2 percent in the West, and 0.1 percent in the South.