Pre-Market Update: Trading Day Ahead (WAG, INTC)

U.S. index futures are down slightly this morning. Following a sell-off in European equities, stocks appear ready to open lower amid fears on the health of foreign banks. Fitch downgraded French bank PNB Paribas Monday and the European banking sector suffered deeply on Tuesday. PNB Paribas declined 2.7% , with Société Générale declining 4.3%. Fresh fears on the jittery European markets will certainly factor into anticipation of the Federal Reserve's two-day rate setting meeting. Many investors will be looking for language on Wednesday that alludes to the ongoing financial turmoil overseas. Ahead of the bell, gold is down $3.50 to $1,237.20 and crude oil futures are down $0.53 to $77.29. In other news, Walgreen WAG profit missed analyst expectations. Also, Intel INTC and the Federal Trade Commission filed motions on Monday to suspend trial proceedings while both negotiate settlement of a market abuse lawsuit.