(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors)US stocks are poised to start higher after falling yesterday ahead of more corporate earnings and a Fed interest rate decision later today. Tech behemoth Apple (NADAQ:AAPL) is also very much in focus as it reported record results. The benchmark Dow Jones closed Tuesday around 41 points lower at 17581 while the broader S&P500 index closed around 5 down. The tech heavy Nasdaq eased 4.5 to 5036 as traders were muted ahead of the central bank decision and pressure on crude oil prices once more. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will make an announcement on interest rates expected at 2pm Eastern Time and although the Fed's policy makers are widely expected to hold off on a rate rise until next year there will still be plenty of rune reading and semantic studies going on. Alastair McCaig at City spreadbetter IG said: "Fed chair Janet Yellen may well wish to increase rates prior to year's end but the most recent US data has made a move look much less likely. "With only the statement and no press conference tonight this decision could be 'much ado about nothing'. In futures trading today the Dow Jones is up 22 points while the Nasdaq added around 13. Futures for the S&P500 is up nearly four. In pre-market Apple shares are up 1.99% to after it impressed with record full year profits swollen by strong demand in China. Apple's full-year net income of US$53bn was not only the biggest annual profit number in the company's history; it was the biggest profit declared by any company topping Exxon Mobil's US$45.2bn for 2008. Drug store Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) shares are dipping around 7% after a 45% surge yesterday triggered by reports that online pharmacy group Walgreens (NYSE: WBA) was planning to buy the company. Walgreens confirmed the US$9 per share - $17.2bn deal after the closing bell. The deal is to widen Walgreen's footprint in the United States and negotiate for lower drug costs. There are also a flurry of earnings before the bell to keep traders occupied as motor giant Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAM) and Hershey (NYSE:HSY) among others are reporting.
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