What to watch today: Stock futures jump ahead of Fed’s key interest rate decision

What to watch today: Stock futures jump ahead of Fed’s key interest rate decision

BY THE NUMBERS  were firmly in the green Wednesday, as investors await a key interest rate decision by the Federal Reserve later in the day. Dow futures implied an opening gain of roughly 280 points, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were higher by around 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively. (CNBC) * (CNBC) * (CNBC) Wall Street is looking to , when the S&P 500 jumped 2.1% to end a three-day losing streak. The Nasdaq advanced 2.9% to also halt a three-day skid. Both indexes are seeking their first back-to-back positive sessions since Feb. 24-25. The Dow gained 599 points, or 1.8%, on Tuesday. * (CNBC) , slightly below Dow Jones estimates of 0.4% and a considerable slowdown compared with January's figures, according to the Commerce Department. The Labor Department also reported a 1.4% rise in February import prices, compared with consensus forecasts for a 1.6% jump. (CNBC) At 10:00 a.m. ET, the National Association of Home Builders will be out with its monthly sentiment index, seen dropping to 80 for March from 82 in February. * (CNBC) January business inventories are also out at 10:00 a.m. ET, expected to rise 1.1% after increasing 2.1% in December. Lastly, the Energy