State officials report that New Mexico's unemployment increased slightly last month, and that job growth remains slow.
The Department of Workforce Solutions said Friday that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in March. It was 6.8 percent in February and 6.9 percent in March 2012.
State officials say New Mexico gained 3,800 jobs from March 2012, with a job growth rate of 0.5 percent.
The leisure and hospitality industry accounted for the largest increase, picking up 2,800 jobs since last March.
Officials say the financial industry added 1,100 jobs. The state has lost 700 federal jobs during the same time along with 600 jobs in the manufacturing industry.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.