WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (AP) _ The state Labor Department says the number of jobs in Connecticut fell by about 400 in April, the state's fourth consecutive month of job losses.

But the total employment of 1.699 million was 10,200 higher than jobs in April a year ago, according to numbers released Thursday.

Labor officials say most job sectors were relatively stable except for trade, transportation and utilities. But they caution that Connecticut could hit a few bumps in the economic recovery road over the next several months.

Trade, transportation and utilities lost 1,900 positions in April. That sector has accounted for 4,100 of the 7,200 jobs lost in the state since December.

The number of jobs was up by 1,200 in professional and business services and by 700 in educational and health services.

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