U.S. stock index futures were little changed Wednesday morning as investors waited to hear the Federal Reserve’s latest decision on monetary policy.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials dropped 24 points, or 0.1%, Wednesday to 27,894.
Futures for the S&P 500 gained 2.5 points, or 0.1%, at 3,138.50.
The NASDAQ Composite jumped 15.5 points, or 0.2%, to 8,379.25.
American Eagle Outfitters and Nordson Corporation are among the companies reporting earnings today.
On the data front, inflation numbers are due out at 8:30 a.m. ET and Federal budget figures are expected at 2 p.m.
The Fed is largely expected to keep rates unchanged. But Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is also expected to signal the central bank will take appropriate measures to keep liquidity high and overnight lending rates steady to end the year. In its October meeting, the Fed decided to cut short-term lending rates to a range of 1.50% to 1.75%.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 doffed 0.1% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was positive 0.8%.
Oil prices removed 33 cents at $58.91 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices advanced $2.30 to $1,470.40 U.S. an ounce.
