Stock futures are modestly lower Monday night as investors prepared for the Federal Reserve's May policy meeting to kick off.
But the muted activity seen in Monday's regular session is typical in the days leading up to a Fed policy meeting, according to Jamie Cox, managing partner for Harris Financial Group.
Members of the Federal Open Market Committee will begin their policy meeting Tuesday, with an announcement on interest rates and a subsequent press conference expected Wednesday.
"Markets just sit around and wait until the Fed meeting begins, and then the positioning starts," Cox said.
Beyond the start of the Fed meeting Tuesday, investors will watch for data on job openings, factory orders and light vehicle sales on the economic front.