September Jobless Rate Is Up But Is Below 2011, 2010 Levels
The jobless rate rose to 12% in September from 11% in August. But it was the second-lowest monthly rate of 2012 and below the same-month rates last year and in 2010 (see chart). The figure marked the 24th-straight month of lower year-over-year industry unemployment. However, over the past six years, the industry still has shed 2.2 million jobs, a 29% drop.