Wall Street futures pointed sideways pre-bell Wednesday as traders mulled uncertain US-Iran relations, sluggish oil prices and rich tech-sector valuations.

In the futures, the S&P 500 rose 0.1%, the Nasdaq was stable after setting another record-high close on Tuesday, and the Dow Jones was also flat.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded down 0.8% at $89.83 a barrel, in morning action.

The VanEck Semiconductor fund (SMH) traded down 0.5% pre-bell.

Asian exchanges traded unevenly overnight following media reports that China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration, is scrutinizing AI startups DeepSeek and Moonshot AI for national security breaches. The privately held enterprises may have routed live user prompts and data through Anthropic's Claude AI model, thus potentially exposing Beijing military and other secrets to US-based enterprises.

AI and semiconductor-related shares fell in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

European bourses tracked moderately lower midday on the continent.

Cintas (CTAS) plans to report earnings pre-bell, among others.

On the economic calendar is the S&P Global September flash US purchasing managers index, PMI, at 9:45 am ET.

The Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations report for September logs at 10 am.

The weekly EIA petroleum status bulletin files at 10:30 am.

Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr is slated to speak on Wednesday.

In pre-market action, bitcoin traded at $85,725, and 10-year US Treasuries offered 4.96%. Spot gold commanded $4,316 an ounce.