Fed minutes loom, ExxonMobil-Pioneer deal talk - what's moving markets

investing.com:

Investing.com -- U.S. stock futures edged up ahead of the publication of minutes from the Federal Reserve's September meeting. Meanwhile, several Fed officials drop hints that the central bank may choose to refrain from further interest rate hikes this year following a recent spike in U.S. Treasury yields. Elsewhere, ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) is reportedly set to announce a massive acquisition of rival Pioneer (NYSE:PXD) worth around $60 billion, and German sandal manufacturer Birkenstock prices its initial public offering.

1. Futures inch higher with Fed policy hints in focus

U.S. stock futures were pointing slightly higher on Wednesday, with investors looking ahead to the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest meeting and mulling over comments from officials at the central bank this week.

At 04:50 ET (08:48 GMT), the Dow futures contract was up by 23 points or 0.1%, S&P 500 futures gained 4 points or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose by 23 points or 0.2%.

The main indices finished the previous session in the green, supported by statements from Fed policymakers that buoyed hopes that the world's most important central bank would choose not to further lift interest rates in the short-term. Several Fed officials noted that a jump in U.S. Treasury yields in recent weeks to 16-year highs could end up tightening financial conditions, meaning that fewer rate hikes may be needed.

On Tuesday, the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed by 0.4%, the benchmark S&P 500 added 0.5%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced by 0.6%.

2. Fed minutes loom large

Attention now turns to the upcoming release of minutes from the Fed's September gathering, when the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee opted to keep