08:24 AM EDT, 03/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were cautiously lower pre-bell Tuesday as the Federal Reserve kicks off its policy-setting meeting.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 0.2%, S&P 500 futures declined 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were down 0.4%.

The Federal Open Market Committee begins its two-day meeting Tuesday, which will be capped by a rate announcement at 2 pm ET on Wednesday.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude rose 1.4% at $72.05 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.4% higher at $68.33 per barrel.

Housing starts, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, are expected to rise to a 1.38 million annual rate for February from 1.366 million previously. Permits are seen dropping to 1.45 million from January's 1.483 million, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Forecasters see a 0.2% rise in industrial production, due at 9:15 am ET, for February.