1.   Unemployment insurance claims have been rising rapidly.

2.   Also, the Labor Department reported that first-time claims rose last week to their highest level in a month.

3.   Analysts said the harsher than normal winter took its toll on all insurers as sales of new cars fell and insurance claims rose.

4.   Analysts were expecting claims to rise.

5.   Analysts had expected jobless claims to rise slightly, but the report did little to change expectations for low inflation and moderate economic growth.

6.   And jobless claims rose in the latest week.

7.   By the way, United States jobless claims rose in mid-April.

8.   Claims could rise further in coming weeks as several states in the Midwest and Southeast recover from late winter floods.

9.   Claims could rise even more in coming weeks as job disputes threaten to put thousands out of work.

10.   Claims could rise in coming months as companies continue to cut jobs in an effort to restructure and lower costs.