LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures gained on Thursday, indicating an opening rise for Wall Street, with all eyes on the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and statement later in the New York session.
By 0955 GMT, U.S. stock futures were showing gains of around 0.2 percent for the three main indexes <SPc1> <DJc1> <NDc1>, lifted by a 1 percent rise in European shares <.FTEU3> and strength in Japanese stocks.
U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday thanks to gains in the energy sector. The same could be true later with crude continuing to firm above $72 a barrel after weekly inventory data showed crude and gasoline supplies fell more than expected last week.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lift its benchmark fed funds rate by a quarter-percentage point to 5.25 percent at 1815 GMT, a 17th rise in two years with more to come.
The wording of the Fed's statement has kept investors uncertain amid lingering concerns that the central bank's monetary tightening will slow economic growth and hurt corporate profits.
"We think the rise we are going get this evening will be the top of the cycle and that the Fed is about to pause. As or when the Fed indicates it is at the peak of a cycle we think the equity market will go up," said Jim Wood Smith at Christows Stockbroker.
Shares of Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will be in focus after ticking up after hours on Wednesday after saying it has chosen former Procter & Gamble ( PG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Chairman and Chief Executive John Pepper to serve as nonexecutive chairman.
Shares in memory chip maker Micron Technology (MU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Red Hat Inc. (RHAT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) look set to fall after slipping after hours following quarterly results.
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