Online reports that Goldman Sachs 'analysis of state unemployment benefit application data showed that the number of U.S. jobless benefit applications rose slightly last week. The analysis is based on data released by states during the federal shutdown. Goldman Sachs economists such as Jan Hatzius pointed out in a report to clients that the number of initial jobless claims is expected to rise to about 224,000 in the week ending September 27, up from the 218,000 reported by the government in the previous issue. The bank used seasonal factors pre-announced by the Labor Department to adjust existing state raw data. Due to the government shutdown, the Labor Department did not release its weekly report on Thursday, but provided downloadable data for most states. The September employment report, originally scheduled for early Friday, was also postponed.