07:56 AM EDT, 09/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were cautiously mixed pre-bell Monday as traders anticipated the Federal Reserve's regular meeting to discuss monetary policy.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.2%, S&P 500 futures slipped 0.03%, and Nasdaq futures fell 0.3%.

The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to start its two-day meeting on Tuesday.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.8% at $72.22 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude up 1% at $68.42 per barrel.

The Empire State Manufacturing Index, slated for release at 8:30 am ET, is seen at minus 4.1 in September after August's minus 4.7 reading, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.