U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wednesday, as investors awaited key economic data releases ahead of an important monetary policy symposium at Jackson Hole later on this week.
Dow Jones industrial average futures fell about 40 points, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 6.5 points and 16.25 points, respectively.
Data to watch on Wednesday, includes the flash US composite purchasing managers' index (PMI) due out at 9:45 a.m. ET, which will be followed by new home sales, set to come out at 10 a.m. ET. Mortgage applications are set to come out at 7 a.m. ET.
On the central bank front, Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan is set to speak at the Permian Basin Petroleum Association Membership Luncheon in Midland, Texas on Wednesday.
This speech comes just before central bankers meet later this week at Jackson Hole.
At the event, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi are both set to speak, with investors watching the event closely for any indications when it comes to monetary policy outlook.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump held a rally in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday, which came after the administration has faced a couple of turbulent weeks due to a shakeup in staff and comments made by the incumbent.
During his speech on Tuesday, Trump defended the response he gave in relation to the white supremacist-organized rally seen in Virginia recently, on top of discussing plans to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and the country's future relationship with NAFTA .
In commodities , oil prices came under pressure in morning trade as oversupply concerns returned to the market after Libyan output showed signs of recovery.
At 6:52 a.m. ET, U.S. crude hovered around $47.75 per barrel, while Brent stood at $51.70.
Overseas, European bourses traded mostly lower in morning trade, while stocks in Asia finished mostly mixed. In the previous session, U.S. stocks closed higher on renewed hopes of tax reform in the U.S.
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