08:08 AM EDT, 06/10/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Lingering questions about the result of trade talks between the US and China put investors in a holding pattern as equity futures traded mostly sideways pre-bell Tuesday.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.1%, S&P 500 futures were flat, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.1% in premarket activity.

Investors are awaiting the outcome of the second day of talks between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and China Vice Premier He Lifeng. Lutnick characterized the first day of London talks as "fruitful," while US President Donald Trump said he was receiving "good reports."

But, he added, "China's not easy."

Oil prices were up, following reports that OPEC fell short of output goals in May, with the front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.5% to $67.38 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.5% higher at $65.62 per barrel.

In a surprise, June's National Federation of Independent Business small business optimism index greatly exceeded expectations with a score of 98.8, up from the consensus estimate of 95.9 and April's 95.8.