U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Wednesday as traders focused on fresh economic data ahead of a probable interest rate hike next week.
Private sector employment rose by 298,000 jobs last month, according to ADP and Moody's, well above a Reuters estimate of 190,000. The report encompassed the first full month under President Donald Trump, who has pledged to rebuild the nation's aging infrastructure system.
Market expectations for a rate hike held at around 90 percent on Wednesday, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The Fed's monetary policy committee is set to meet between March 14 and 15.
Other data released Wednesday included fourth-quarter nonfarm productivity, which was left unrevised at a gain of 1.3 percent. Wholesale trade data are due at 10 a.m. ET.
On the earnings front, Bob Evans and Express and were among the companies that reported before the bell. Camping World, Sunrun, United Natural Foods and Bankrate are all due to report after the market close.
In Europe, the pan-European Stoxx-600 index was 0.15 percent higher on Wednesday. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite in China closed flat, while the Nikkei in Japan closed 0.47 percent lower.
In oil markets, prices edged lower after industry data pointed to a ninth consecutive week of inventory builds which inflamed concerns regarding global oversupply.
Brent crude traded at around $55.39 a barrel on Wednesday, down 0.95 percent, while U.S. crude was around $52.55 a barrel, down 1.11 percent.
—CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed to this report.