Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a flat open on Wednesday, as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated policy statement due later in the trading session.
In addition, traders are awaiting the release of U.S. growth figures for the second quarter scheduled for indications on how the economic recovery is progressing.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to flat open, S&P 500 futures were little changed, while the Nasdaq 100 futures held steady.
Market participants looked ahead to the Fed's upcoming policy statement due later in the day on hopes the central bank will offer more clues on when it could slow the pace of its monthly bond purchases.
The U.S. was also to produce economic growth data, as well as reports on non-farm employment change and manufacturing activity in Chicago.
Shares in Comcast, the largest U.S. cable broadcaster, were expected to be active after reporting earnings per share of USD0.65 for the second quarter, above expectations for USD0.63 per share.
The firm posted revenue of USD16.3 billion, beating forecasts for revenue of USD16 billion.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included CBS, MetLife and Whole Foods, all scheduled to post results later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed, following the release of data which painted a mixed picture of the German economy.
Official data earlier showed that the number of unemployed people in Germany fell for the second consecutive month in July, while the country’s jobless rate held steady.
Germany's Federal Statistics Office said the number of unemployed people fell by a seasonally adjusted 7,000 in July, compared to expectations for a decline of 4,000.
A separate report showed that retail sales declined 1.5% in June, disappointing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after an increase of 0.7% the previous month.
The EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.4%, Germany's DAX edged down 0.4%, while Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.6%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index dropped 1.4% as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
In addition, traders are awaiting the release of U.S. growth figures for the second quarter scheduled for indications on how the economic recovery is progressing.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to flat open, S&P 500 futures were little changed, while the Nasdaq 100 futures held steady.
Market participants looked ahead to the Fed's upcoming policy statement due later in the day on hopes the central bank will offer more clues on when it could slow the pace of its monthly bond purchases.
The U.S. was also to produce economic growth data, as well as reports on non-farm employment change and manufacturing activity in Chicago.
Shares in Comcast, the largest U.S. cable broadcaster, were expected to be active after reporting earnings per share of USD0.65 for the second quarter, above expectations for USD0.63 per share.
The firm posted revenue of USD16.3 billion, beating forecasts for revenue of USD16 billion.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included CBS, MetLife and Whole Foods, all scheduled to post results later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed, following the release of data which painted a mixed picture of the German economy.
Official data earlier showed that the number of unemployed people in Germany fell for the second consecutive month in July, while the country’s jobless rate held steady.
Germany's Federal Statistics Office said the number of unemployed people fell by a seasonally adjusted 7,000 in July, compared to expectations for a decline of 4,000.
A separate report showed that retail sales declined 1.5% in June, disappointing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after an increase of 0.7% the previous month.
The EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.4%, Germany's DAX edged down 0.4%, while Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.6%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index dropped 1.4% as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar.