Missouri’s unemployment rate edged up to 3.1 percent in December, retreating slightly from the record low of 3.0 percent reached in November. The current rate is still six-tenths of a point below the year-earlier value. Missouri nonfarm payroll employment jumped by 4,100 jobs over the month, Most reported industries showed over-the-month gains in December. The largest increases were in health care and social assistance and accommodation and food services. These two industry groups each reported employment increases of 1,800 jobs. Professional and business services employment was up by 1,200;. The gains were partly offset by decreases in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1,200) and nondurable goods manufacturing (-1,000).Missouri’s rate has now been lower than the corresponding U.S. rate, which was 3.9 percent in December,