October 18, 2019
The Bureau of Labour Statistics reported that, “Unemployment rates were lower in September in 7 states, higher in 4 states, and stable in 39 states and the District of Columbia.” Last year, there were seven states with jobless rate decreases, 2 states had increases and the District had little or no change. Whereas, there was 0.2% decrease reported in the national unemployment rate from August to 3.% but was little changed since September 2018.
In addition, “Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 3 states in September 2019, decreased in 2, and was essentially unchanged in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, 27 states added nonfarm payroll jobs and 23 states and the District were essentially unchanged.,” as stated by the BLS.
Unemployment rates
Notably, Vermont recorded the lowest unemployment rate in September, 2.2%. On the other hand, Alaska had the highest jobless rate, 6.2%. In total, 15 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 3.5%, 14 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates, and 21 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.
For the period of September, South Carolina had the largest over-the-month unemployment rate decline of 0.3%, while Mississippi had the largest rate increase 0.2%. Furthermore, Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia had jobless rates that were not notably different from those of a month earlier.
Alabama, Colorado, and New Jersey experienced the highest over-the-year unemployment rate decreases (-0.8 percentage point each). The only rate increases from September 2018 was observed in Mississippi (+0.7 percentage point) and Nebraska (+0.4 point).
Nonfarm Payroll Employment
In September 2019, Nonfarm payroll employment rose in three states. The employment increases occurred in Kentucky (+8,200, or +0.4%), Idaho (+4,600, or +0.6%), and Hawaii (+4,500, or +0.7%). However, employment fell in September in Virginia (-14,700, or -0.4%) and New Hampshire (-3,500, or -0.5%).
Moreover, according to BLS, “twenty-seven states had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment in September. The largest job gains occurred in California (+320,000), Texas (+300,000), and Florida (+224,700). The largest percentage gains occurred in Nevada (+3.2%), Idaho (+3.1%), and Utah (+3.0%).”
Analyst Certification -This research report is for information purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation. Each research analyst (s) also certify that no part of their compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendation (s) or view (s) expressed by that research analyst in this research report.
Company Disclosure -The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. You are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Mayberry may effect transactions or have positions in securities mentioned herein. In addition, employees of Mayberry may have positions and effect transactions in the securities mentioned herein.