Stocks – U.S. Futures Flat as Markets Eye 3Q GDP, Fed Rate Decision

Investing.com – Futures were flat on Wednesday, as investors waited to find how much the economy expanded in the third quarter and looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision later in the day.

were flat at 8,057.62 points by 6:41 AM ET (10:41 GMT), while were at 27,043 points and were at 3,035.88 points.

The Fed is to cut interest rates for the third time this year, but investors are uncertain about whether or not the central bank will continue to ease monetary policy. Only a 23% chance of another cut in December is priced in, compared to almost 70% earlier this month.

The central bank decision will follow initial third-quarter , expected at 8:30 AM ET. for October are expected at 8:15 AM ET.

Toymaker Mattel (NASDAQ:) surged 18.1% after its third-quarter estimate surpassed expectations, with doll sales up 5% and vehicle toys gaining 13%. General Electric (NYSE:) rose 6.4% on better-than-expected earnings, while Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:) gained 2.9% after it said that 15 new tests on its baby powder found no asbestos in the recalled lot that was previously tested by the Food and Drug Administration.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:) consolidated, inching up 0.1% after surging late on Wednesday after it confirmed it’s in talks with Peugeot owner PSA Group (PA:) on a possible merger.

Earnings season remains in focus, with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:), CME Group (NASDAQ:) and Yum! Brands (NYSE:) among those expected to report before the bell. Apple (NASDAQ:), Facebook (NASDAQ:) and Starbucks (NASDAQ:) are scheduled to report after the market close.

In commodities, rose 0.1% to $1,492.75 a troy ounce, while the , which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was down 0.1% to 97.398. were flat at $55.54 a barrel.

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