Stock futures higher ahead of rate decision

U.S. stock index futures posted slight gains ahead of Wednesday's open as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's latest monetary-policy decision.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials gained 33 points, or 0.1%, to 26,553

S&P 500 futures gained 4.75 points, or 0.2%, to 2,926, while futures for the NASDAQ composite added 14.75 points, or 0.2%, to 7,610

CarMax Inc. is among the firms reporting earnings Wednesday morning.

Tensions remain high in the ongoing U.S.-China trade row. During a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Donald Trump defended his administration's stance on trade in general, telling international leaders that the U.S. would no longer endure "such abuse," but act in its "national interest" when it feels like it's being duped.

Trump went on to criticize the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and OPEC nations, stating that the group was "ripping off" the rest of the world and taking advantage by delivering high oil prices.

Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.4% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, markets returned solidly from a holiday, as the Hang Seng sprang up 1.2%.

Oil prices sank 35 cents at $71.93 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices faded $3.40 to $1,201.70 U.S. an ounce.