By MarketWatch MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE New U.S. applications for unemployment benefits were little changed last week, at 388,000, after taking into account revisions in the how the federal government calculates the data. See full story. Ex-Berkshire exec Sokol defends actions Former Berkshire Hathaway executive David Sokol, who resigned from the company on Wednesday, told CNBC Television on Thursday that he believes he did nothing wrong by buying shares in Lubrizol Inc. and then pitching the company as a takeover opportunity for Berkshire. See full story. Markets wrap disaster-prone quarter on calmer note U.S. stocks, bonds, the dollar and commodities have had a very memorable quarter, hit by a barrage of unexpected events that sent global risk skyrocketing and rattled investors’ nerves much more than usual. See full story. U.S. futures hold steady ahead of jobless data The weekly jobless-claims report will be followed later in the session by the Chicago purchasing managers index and figures on factory orders. See full story. Stocks in focus Thursday: CarMax, Lawson Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday’s session are CarMax, Lawson Software and Worthington. See full story. MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY Just when it looked like the stock market would crumble under the weight of insider selling, the insiders retreated. The ratio of their selling to their buying is now the lowest it’s been since last September, reports Mark Hulbert. See full story. MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE If AT&T’s planned purchase of T-Mobile USA goes through, T-Mobile users should brace themselves for higher costs and worse service, consumer groups say. See full story.

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