NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Stocks positioned for a weak open Wednesday as investors continued to digest the Federal Reserve's decision to leave interest rates unchanged and a shift in its stance on inflation in the prior session.

About 7:50 a.m. ET, futures pointed to a flat to lower start for the major indexes, which slid on the Fed's announcement late Tuesday.

The Fed said it would keep the current low interest rates for a "considerable period" but that inflation and deflation were now equal risks. The language change spooked investors a little, as it was seen by some as a signal of an improving economy and, eventually, higher interest rates.

For details of Tuesday's decline, click above

The Dow Jones industrial average ended 0.4 percent lower on the day Tuesday after rising in early trading to just above 10,000, the first time it has topped that milestone in more than 18 months. The Nasdaq composite index took a whacking on weakness in semiconductor stocks, down nearly 2.1 percent. (See chart for details)

But amid the residual effects of the Fed's decision, some stocks could see movement Wednesday.

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Mortgage finance firm Freddie Mac (FRE: Research, Estimates) agreed to pay $125 million to settle a federal inquiry into management lapses that led to the company underreporting $5 billion in earnings, according to a report in the Washington Post.

Dow component SBC Communications (SBC: Research, Estimates), the No. 2 U.S. local telephone company, said late Tuesday it would cut as many as 3,000 to 4,000 jobs in the fourth quarter as it continues to cut costs to offset shrinking revenues.

Asian-Pacific stocks ended mostly lower Wednesday, following the U.S. lead; Tokyo's Nikkei index slid 2.1 percent to fall below the 10,000 mark. European markets declined in midday trading. (Check the latest on world markets)

Among U.S. stocks trading in Europe, Verizon Communications (VZ: Research, Estimates) was unchanged after the regional phone service company said it will take $3.7 billion in charges related to severance and pension payments.

Treasury prices rallied, sending the 10-year note yield down to 4.32 from 4.35 percent late Tuesday. The dollar gained more than a yen and was somewhat stronger versus the euro.

Brent oil futures gained 21 cents to $29.57 a barrel in London, where gold was lower in early trading.  

-- from staff and wire reports