U.S. unemployment rate edges down

The U.S. unemployment rate ticked down a tenth of a point to 5.8 percent in October, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Last month, employers added 214,000 jobs, with notable increases observed in food services and drinking places, retail trade and health care, according to a news release.

Food services and drinking place employers created 42,000 positions in October, above an average gain of 26,000 per month during the past year.

National retail trade employment ranks rose by 27,000 in October. Within the industry, general merchandise stores were up 12,000 and automobile dealers boosted ranks by 4,000, according to the release.

Employers in the health care industry added 25,000 jobs last month, led by 19,000 positions in ambulatory services. Health care employers have added an average 21,000 jobs per month during the past year.

The number of people unemployed in the U.S. workforce was 9 million in October, down from 9.3 million in September. There were 7 million people employed part-time for economic reasons and 2.2 million who were marginally attached to the workforce - defined as activity seeking employment, according to the BLS.