07:59 AM EDT, 03/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were higher pre-bell Wednesday as traders looked ahead to a reading on US inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.6%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.9%, and Nasdaq futures were 1% higher.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmarks North Sea Brent crude up 1% at $70.22 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1% higher at $66.92 per barrel.

The consumer price index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 0.3% increase in consumer prices for February following a 0.5% uptick in the preceding month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.