U.S. stock futures point to a flat open after a generally positive start to the week that has seen the broad S&P 500 index turn positive on the year.

U.S. stock futures held steady in Wednesday’s pre-market session after the S&P 500 climbed into positive territory for the year during the previous session. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.

U.S. stock index futures were flat on Wednesday as investors focused on potential developments on the trade front after a strong start to the week, when soft inflation numbers and Washington's trade truce with China boosted sentiment.