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U.S. stock index futures were slightly lower early Wednesday, with market participants monitoring the latest round of trade talks between the world's two largest economies.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 36 points, or 0.1%, at 25,847.
Futures for the S&P 500 faded three points, or 0.1%, to 2,775.75
NASDAQ futures backpedaled 2.25 points to 7,066
In corporate news, investors are likely to closely monitor a flurry of earnings reports. CVS Health, Bausch Health and Garmin were among the major companies expected to publish their quarterly results before the opening bell.
Agilent, Cheesecake Factory and Sturm Ruger are all set to publish their latest figures after the markets closed.
There are no major economic reports scheduled on Wednesday. However, the Federal Reserve is expected to publish minutes from its January policy-setting meeting.
Market focus is largely attuned to global trade developments, after officials from the U.S. and China launched a new round of negotiations on Tuesday.
A follow-up session of higher-level talks is expected later in the week, as both sides look to resolve the long-running trade war before an early March deadline.
President Donald Trump has suggested he might extend the deadline for a deal, telling reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday that March 1 was not a "magical date."
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.6% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng shot higher 1%.
Oil prices lost 32 cents to $55.17 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices moved higher $2.90 to $1,347.70 U.S. an ounce.
