Stocks Set for Higher Open as QE4 Awaited CNBC.com | December 12, 2012 | 05:17 AM EST U.S. stock index futures suggested that stock markets would open slightly higher on Wednesday, ahead of the expected announcement of a fourth round of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed).
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is expected to announce another round of buying up Treasurys after a two-day meeting of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee concludes on Wednesday. The results of the meeting will be announced at 12.30 p.m., followed by a conference with Bernanke at 2.15 p.m.