US Stock Futures Up As Investors Await Retail-Sales Data And FOMC Decision

US stock futures are slightly higher this morning as investors are awaiting the key retail-sales data as well as the US Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) decision on monetary policy. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 16 points to 11,382, while the S&P 500 index futures gained 2.50 points at 1,238.70. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index moved up 3.25 points to 2,213.75. US stocks were mixed on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.2%, the S&P 500 index adding 0.06 points, while the Nasdaq 100 index closing down 0.5%. FOMC decision on monetary policy is due at 2:15 pm ET. November key retail-sales and producer prices data will be released today at 8:30 am ET, while the October business inventories data is due at 10 am ET. Best Buy Co Inc BBY is all set to release quarterly results before the opening bell. HCP Inc HCP announced its plans to purchase all of the real-estate assets of HCR ManorCare Inc for $6.1 billion. Mixed sentiments ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has fallen 0.21%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.01%. Asian markets ended in the positive territory, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average adding 0.22%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 0.20% and China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.14%. January crude-oil futures gained $0.08 to $88.69 per barrel. Gold for February delivery moved up $8.30 to $1,406.30. Read more from Benzinga's Markets.