08:19 AM EDT, 10/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were little changed pre-bell Tuesday as traders digested earnings from major US firms.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 0.1%, S&P 500 futures flatlined, while Nasdaq futures were down 0.1%.

On the earnings front, UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) reported higher Q3 adjusted earnings and revenue. Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) posted fiscal Q3 financial results that topped Capital IQ analysts' estimates. Bank of America ( BAC ) also reported Q3 earnings and revenue that beat analysts' projections.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 4% at $73.38 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 4.3% lower at $70.67 per barrel.

The Empire State Manufacturing Index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is seen coming in at 3.4 in October versus September's 11.5 reading, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.