The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and its fellow benchmarks are trading near breakeven ahead of the bell, as Wall Street awaits weekly jobless data. "Despite the weak performance of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) -- which was a drag on the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) -- the DJI and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) finished in the green Wednesday," said Schaeffer's Senior Options Strategist Tony Venosa. "This was probably due in part to yesterday's better-than-expected ISM non-manufacturing report for November. All eyes will be on Friday's November employment report, which is sure to be a market mover. Also, watch AAPL for further weakness. This could be a dredge on the broader market."

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Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are less than a point below fair value.

Market Statistics

Equity option activity on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1,154,784 call contracts traded on Wednesday -- the most since Nov. 16 -- compared to 692,004 put contracts. The resultant single-session put/call ratio fell to 0.60, while the 21-day moving average moved to 0.68.

Currencies and Commodities

• The U.S. dollar index has moved 0.6% lower to trade at 79.83 ahead of the bell.
• Crude oil is extending its retreat, with January-dated crude down 0.3% at $87.66 per barrel.
• Gold futures are also in the red, with gold for February delivery giving up 0.2% to hover near $1,690.20 an ounce.

Earnings and Economic Data

We'll get the latest weekly jobless claims today, as well as earnings reports from the likes of Analogic (ALOG), H&R Block (HRB), Lululemon Athletica (LULU), Smith & Wesson Holding (SWHC), Smithfield Foods (SFD), and Titan Machinery (TITN).