1.   Analysts said most of the decline last week probably came because of fewer seasonal auto plant shutdowns.

2.   Analysts said most of the decline in jobless claims probably occurred because of fewer seasonal auto plant shutdowns.

3.   Claims surged in July in line with the string of auto plant shutdowns that depressed durable goods orders.

4.   Factories posted the largest job losses in more than three years, partly reflecting the auto plant shutdowns.

5.   Loud groans were heard from Cheboygan to Kalamazoo, a reaction normally reserved for auto plant shutdowns.

6.   Motor vehicles and parts accounted for more than three-quarters of the decrease, due to auto plant shutdowns for model-year conversions, the Commerce Department reported today.