Stock futures are pointing to a slightly lower open for major indexes on Wednesday as investors respond to a slew of earnings reports from retailers and brace for a big speech later in the week by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Traders appeared more certain that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its monetary-policy meeting next month as Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered remarks Friday at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Wyoming.

Gold futures rose as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell effectively opened the door to a September interest rate cut.

Stock futures are down on Aug. 20 as investors await Fed meeting minutes and key earnings from Target and Lowe's. See the latest market moves

Futures and forex markets are both popular options for investors looking to trade financial assets, but they differ in key ways. Futures involve standardized contracts to buy or sell assets at a set price on a future date,

BEIJING (Reuters) -Prices of lithium carbonate futures in China slid by more than 3% on Friday to hit their lowest in two weeks. The most active lithium carbonate futures on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange touched the lowest level since August 8 at 78,

The final grand slam of the year begins this week in New York. Taft Gantt went up 18 units last month at Wimbledon and now gives his best bets for the U.S. Open

Prices this month have risen more than 30 per cent to above US$12,530, before paring monthly gains to around 21 per cent as of Thursday.