U.S. stock index futures held losses Wednesday, following a recent rally and after a report that showed consumer price index remained unchanged last month.
On the economic front, consumer prices were flatfor a second-straight month in July, according to the Labor Department, giving the Federal Reserve room for further monetary stimulus. Economists had expected the index to tick up 0.2 percent, according to a Reuters poll.
A gauge of manufacturing in New York state unexpectedly contracted in August to minus 5.85 for the first time since October 2011, according to the New York Federal Reserve. The index was at 7.39 in July. Economists had expected a reading of 6.5.
On the upside, industrial output climbed 0.6 in July, according to the Federal Reserve, matching expectations. But figures for June were revised down to a 0.1 percent gain, after an initial estimate of a 0.4 percent increase.
The National Association of Home Builders will release its monthly market sentiment index at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Economists polled by Briefing.com expect the index to stand at 35 in August, flat on the previous month.
Investor sentiment was boosted on Tuesday after both France and Germany avoided a contraction in the second quarter. But overall, euro zone GDP shrank by 0.2 percent, sustaining market hopes of further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank.