Stock futures point to lower open

[March 15, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors are entering the new trading week tentatively as the Federal Reserve meets to discuss interest-rate policy. Stock futures are falling.

Overseas markets mostly fell.

The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet Tuesday. While it is unlikely to raise a key interest rate from historic lows, traders will be looking for clues in the Fed's statement as to when it might make a move.

Investors have been factoring in an eventual rate hike. However any signs that the move will be made sooner rather than later is likely to hurt stocks.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are down 28, or 0.3 percent, at 10,545. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are down 4.30, or 0.4 percent, at 1,142.30, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are down 7.25, or 0.4 percent, at 1,917.00.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN BERNARD]

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