Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures Follow Asia Into the Red

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are volatile ahead of the bell following a round of downbeat data out of Asia, with the blue-chip benchmark poised to open in the red. Of course, the Dow is no stranger to volatility, just yesterday swinging more than 171 points higher before settling 239 points lower. Also likely to impact U.S. markets today is a raft of economic data, including the jobless claims report that just hit the Street -- which arrived in line with the consensus forecast for a drop to 275,000.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Option traders got fired up as GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) sank to new lows.
• A pair of catalysts have these 2 copper stocks enjoying a banner week, while talk of a "looming disaster" nailed another commodity name.
• No matter how "transformative" Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) may be, the stock has a long way to go.
• Plus … 5 things you need to know this morning -- including stocks making waves, what's happening overseas, and the latest in unusual option activity.

And now, on to the numbers…

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are 31.6 points below fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. Chinese stocks dropped on a bigger-than-forecast drop in producer prices, while disappointing core machinery orders punished Japanese markets.
2. The debut of weekly CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) options is just around the corner -- following the recent launch of weekly VIX futures -- providing traders with yet another short-term vehicle to play the market's "fear gauge." 
3. Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) narrowly beat earnings estimates, but confessed to contracting margins -- setting the stock up for yet another big post-earnings move. At last check, LULU was pointed more than 7% lower in electronic trading.
4. Less than a month after making a nearly $700 million acquisition, Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ:STX) announced it will lay off more than 1,000 workers worldwide, or roughly 2% of its staff.
5. While Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) ended its relationship with American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) earlier this year, wholesale rival Sam's Club -- owned by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) -- said it will begin accepting AXP credit cards starting Oct. 1.

Market Statistics

• Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW) were among the equities with unusual call and put activity on Wednesday. For the entire list, read Unusual Options Activity: NFLX, GPRO, PANW, and EXPE.
• The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 892,082 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 636,770 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 0.71, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.76.
• For info on currencies, commodities, trading volume, market breadth, and more, read Stock Market Stats for September 9, 2015.

Earnings and Economic Data

Import and export prices, wholesale inventories, and the holiday-delayed update on domestic crude inventories will be released today. Quarterly results are due out from Finisar (FNSR), Peak Resorts (SKIS), Restoration Hardware (RH), and Zumiez (ZUMZ). To see what else is on this week's docket, click here.