Global investors lingered near the sidelines, wavering between pessimism over the European debt crisis and optimism over new measures that the U.S. Federal Reserve may announce later on Wednesday.
Britain's FTSE 100 dipped 0.3 per cent, France's CAC 40 slipped 0.8 per cent and Germany's DAX fell 0.9 per cent. Japan's Nikkei edged 0.2 per cent higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1 per cent.
Dow stock futures rose 26 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 11,361, while S&P 500 futures gained 2.6 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 1,198.60.
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Investors have taken heart in recent days from signs that Greece is making progress in its talks with its three creditors, the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Athens is due to announce a plan on Wednesday to bring forward spending cuts agreed to under its bailout programme and qualify for a vital 8-billion-euro lifeline.
The Fed ends a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Analysts said markets appeared to be holding out hope for a new injection of stimulus — most economists expect the Fed to announce a plan to shift money in its $1.7-trillion (U.S.) portfolio out of short-term securities and into longer-term holdings. That could lower Treasury yields and reduce rates on mortgages and other consumer and business loans.
Gold rose $2.60 to $1,811.70 an ounce.
U.S. crude slipped 50 cents to $86.42 a barrel.
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The Canadian dollar traded lower at $1.0056 (U.S.).