Investors Digest Data, Fed Meeting Kicks Off as US Equity Futures Waver Pre-Bell

09:00 AM EDT, 09/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were flat before Tuesday's opening bell as traders digested a batch of economic data, while the Federal Reserve kicks off its policy-setting meeting.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.05%, S&P 500 futures were up 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.2% higher.

The Federal Open Market Committee meeting kicks off Tuesday, with a policy statement scheduled for release at the meeting's conclusion at 2 pm ET Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the US Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee Stephen Miran late Monday to join the Federal Reserve's board of governors.

Oil prices were higher, with global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.9% at $68.06 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.1% higher at $64.02 per barrel.

The August retail sales bulletin, released at 8:30 am ET, showed a 0.6% rise to match the previous month's increase, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for a smaller 0.2% uptick. Import prices increased by 0.3% in August versus estimates for a 0.2% decline, while export prices also increased by 0.3% for the month versus estimates for a 0.1% gain.

The August industrial production report, slated for 9:15 am ET, is seen coming in flat for the month.

The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index, due at 10 am ET, is seen coming in at 33 for September versus 32 previously. Forecasters see a 0.2% gain in business inventories for July to match June's increase.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.3% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.03% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.04% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.3%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.6% lower in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Oracle (ORCL) shares were 4% higher amid media reports that the company is among a consortium of firms that would help TikTok to continue operations in the US. Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) stock was up 10% after the company reported higher fiscal Q4 adjusted earnings and sales.

On the losing side, Dave & Buster's Entertainment (PLAY) shares were 17% lower after the company reported late Monday lower fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings.

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