(Reuters) -U.S. stock index futures inched higher on Wednesday after declines a day earlier as investors awaited commentary from Federal Reserve speakers and the release of minutes from the central bank’s September policy meeting.

With the U.S. government shutdown delaying key economic data releases and earnings season approaching, traders are likely to parse every signal for clues on growth, inflation and interest rates.

Remarks from St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem, Fed Governor Michael Barr, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari are on deck. Minutes from the Fed’s September meeting are also due at 2 p.m. ET.

At 05:08 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 83 points, or 0.18%, U.S. S&P 500 E-minis rose 10.75 po

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