State unemployment rate falls to 5.2% in April

The state reported a 5.2 percent unemployment rate last month, the Missouri Department of Economic Development said on Friday, down from 5.7 percent in March. The U.S. rate in April was 5 percent.

There was no overall change from March to April in nonfarm employment, as gains were offset by losses in other areas.

Manufacturing saw a 1,700-job increase, retail trade grew by 3,000 jobs, and government employment was up by 1,000 jobs, mostly at the local level. Leisure and hospitality employment was down by 2,500 jobs for the month.

The nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.9 percent, down from 6 percent in March.