08:08 AM EDT, 03/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were cautiously higher pre-bell Wednesday as traders awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.1%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.4% higher.

Oil prices were little changed, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude hovering at about $70.53 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude flat at around $66.73 per barrel.

The Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to release a policy statement at 2 pm ET, followed by a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell at 2:30 pm ET. Analysts are expecting the central bank's policy rate to remain unchanged in 4.25%-to-4.50% range.