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U.S. stock index futures pointed to a downward open as investors digested comments from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting that showed the central bank was leaning toward more rate hikes moving forward.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials stumbled 113 points, or 0.4%, to 25,623
S&P 500 futures settled 15 points, or 0.5%, to 2,801.25, while futures for the NASDAQ composite slumped 45.5 points, or 0.6%, to 7,267.75
Equity markets around the world have set their focus on rising interest rates and a slew of corporate earnings for the third quarter.
On the earnings front, Travelers, Bank of NY Mellon and Blackstone are expected to report before the bell. Meanwhile, American Express and Paypal are expected to report after the bell.
The Fed minutes showed the central bank is still convinced tighter monetary policy is the best course of action for the economy to remain steady.
On the data front, U.S. jobless claims are expected at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by a Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 dumped 0.8% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, markets returned from holiday, as the Hang Seng index let to of 7.71 points, or less than 1%.
Oil prices dumped $1.09 to $68.66 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices nicked up 60 cents to $1,228 U.S. an ounce.
