* Fed hints at easing monetary policy
* Microsoft raises quarterly dividend by 23 pct
* Adobe Systems slides premarket after forecast
* Futures down: S&P 1 pt, Dow 7 pts, Nasdaq 5.75 pts
* For up-to-the-minute market news see [STXNEWS/US] (Adds byline, analyst quote)
By Angela Moon
NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures slipped on Wednesday on concerns about the inflation outlook and as the Federal Reserve inched closer to loosening its monetary policy, sending gold prices to a record high.
Further pressuring the market, Microsoft Corp
Gold hit a record high above $1,290 per ounce and the U.S. two-year Treasury-note yield fell to a record low as Treasury prices extended gains after the Fed raised the possibility for more easing to spur the economy. It also said core inflation was running below the central banks's comfort levels. [ID:nN20109053]
"The willingness of the Fed to reinflate is causing a major decline in currency and propelling gold prices to rise, which is weighing on equities. It shows that investors are protecting themselves," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Avalon Partners in New York.
S&P 500 futures
Shares in Adobe Systems Inc
Potentially unsettling Wall Street, White House economic adviser Larry Summers said he will leave as director of the White House National Economic Council, marking a major staff shake-up for U.S. President Barack Obama as he faces pressure to revive the economy. [ID:nN21186370]
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is to appear at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the state of the international financial system.
On the earnings front, cereal maker General Mills
Inc
Investors will also watch for results from retailer Bed
Bath & Beyond Inc
EBay Inc
China's foreign ministry told the United States to stop pushing for a stronger yuan, saying Washington should instead focus on spurring its slumping economy. The yuan extended gains to a ninth day, its longest rally since it a revaluation in July 2005. (Reporting by Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)