08:51 AM EDT, 10/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures posted narrow gains before Wednesday's opening bell as traders looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision and a string of earnings from major technology stocks.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.2% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.4% higher.

Oil prices were little changed, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude flat at $63.84 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude little changed at $60.13 per barrel.

The Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to release a policy statement at 2 pm ET. Forecasters are expecting a 25-basis-point rate cut.

Microsoft ( MSFT ) , Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), and Meta Platforms ( META ) are scheduled to release quarterly earnings after the closing bell.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei ended 2.2% higher, China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.7% higher, while the Hong Kong market was closed for holiday. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.9%, and Germany's DAX index was down 0.1% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Caterpillar ( CAT ) shares were 5% higher pre-bell after the heavy equipment maker reported Q3 earnings and revenue that topped analysts' estimates. Verizon Communications ( VZ ) stock was up 4% after the company reported stronger Q3 financial results.

On the losing side, Stride (LRN) shares were 44% lower after the company late Tuesday issued fiscal Q2 and full-year revenue guidance that trailed analysts' projections. Fiserv ( FI ) stock was down 37% after the company reported lower Q3 adjusted earnings and lowered its 2025 financial guidance.