U.S. unemployment rate drops to 7.5%

The national unemployment rate continued a three-month trend, dropping slightly to 7.5 percent in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The U.S. jobless rate dropped from 7.6 percent in March and 7.7 percent in February.

Last month, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 165,000 jobs, led by increases in professional and business services, food services and drinking places, retail trade and health care, according to a news release.

Professional and business service employers added 73,000 jobs in April; food services and drinking places hired an additional 38,000; retail trade employment rose by 29,000; and health care increased by 19,000.