US equity futures rose before Wednesday's opening bell as traders looked ahead to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.4%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.7%.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.4% at $73.88 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.3% higher at $70.15 per barrel.

Private payrolls based on ADP Institute's employment report, released at 8:15 am ET, increased by 146,000 in November compared with October's revised 184,000 rise and the 150,000 gain expected by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Factory orders, slated for 10 am ET, are seen 0.3% higher in October after declining 0.5% in September. Forecasters see the Institute for Supply Management's Services Index coming in at 55.5 in November versus 56.0 previously.

Powell is scheduled to speak before the New York Times DealBook Summit at 1:40 pm ET. Investors will parse his address for clues on the central bank's plan for interest rates.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.07% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.02% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.4% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.2%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.7% higher in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of Salesforce (CRM) were up 12% pre-bell after the company reported higher fiscal Q3 adjusted profit and revenue. Heron Therapeutics (HRTX) stock was 66% higher pre-bell after the company said overnight it won a patent dispute over its Cinvanti injectable emulsion against Fresenius Kabi USA.

On the losing side, Foot Lock (FL) shares were down 17% after the company posted lower fiscal Q3 revenue and cut its fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings outlook. Intuitive Machines (LUNR) stock was 16% lower after the company priced an upsized $110 million sale of common stock in a public offering and concurrent private placement.