Unemployment holds steady at 5.1%

After seeing major progress in August, the U.S. unemployment rate held steady in September at 5.1%.

The economy added 142,000 jobs in September (below the 2015 average of 198,000), with job gains largely occurring in health care and information.

The total number of unemployed persons was also little changed at 7.9 million, a figure that's decreased 0.8% over the year.

That said, the number of persons unemployed for less than five weeks increased last month by 268,000, partially offsetting a decline in August.

However, the number of persons employed part-time for economic reasons was down by 447,000 to 6.0 million in September.

Industry-wise, health care was in the lead with 34,000 new jobs in September, and professional and business services added 31,000.

Retail jobs were up by 24,000, and food services and drinking places added 21,000. The information industry added 12,000.

Building material and garden equipment & supplies stores added 2,000 jobs, continuing its upward trajectory from the previous couple of months.