NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Stocks futures indicated a mixed open on Wall Street Wednesday as investors anxiously await the latest interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve.

However, a third-quarter profit surge from automaker General Motors could provide some positive direction for stocks.

Futures pointed to some turbulence as trading commences.

General Motors (Charts) posted third-quarter profits that nearly doubled Wall Street's earnings expectations. The nation's No. 1 automaker earned $529 million, or 93 cents a share excluding special items, compared with a loss of $1.1 billion, or $1.92 a share on that basis a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast earnings of only 49 cents a share in the period.

In other earnings news, aircraft maker Boeing (Charts) on Wednesday reported lower quarterly profit that beat Wall Street expectations. Tobacco company Altria (Charts) reported profits that missed analysts' estimates although revenue was better than expected.

Meanwhile, investors are also awaiting the latest thinking of the Federal Reserve later in the day.

At 2:15 p.m. ET the Federal Reserve will conclude its two-day meeting. While investors are widely expecting the central bank to leave rates unchanged, the statement that will be released at that time will be closely watched for clues about the thinking on future rate moves. While some economists believe the next move will be to cut rates, there is growing sentiment by some who are expecting the Fed to again raise rates at future meetings to combat inflation.

The Dow edged slightly higher Tuesday, setting yet another record high close, as GM shares gained ahead of the report.

Tuesday after the market close online retailer Amazon.com (Charts) reported better than expected results, as its shares soared 14 percent after the bell.

At 10 a.m. the National Association of Realtors reports on September existing home sales. Economists are forecasting a further slowing of the pace of sales. The trade group's previous month report showed the first year-over-year decline in the price of a home in 11 years.

Oil prices were higher ahead of the 10:30 a.m. ET report on U.S. fuel inventories. U.S. light crude was up 10 cents to $59.45 a barrel in electronic trading, while Brent crude trading in London was 20 cents higher at $60.06.

Treasury prices were slightly lower in early trading ahead of the Fed statement, taking the yield on the 10-year note to 4.83 from 4.82 percent late Tuesday. The dollar was lower against the euro and the yen.

Stocks in Asia closed mixed, with indexes rising in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, while losing ground in Japan and Australia. Stocks in Europe were up in early trading.

In other corporate news, ImClone Systems on Wednesdaynamed billionaire financier Carl Icahn as the chairman of its board, and posted higher quarterly earnings helped by Erbitux sales.

Automaker DaimlerChrysler (Charts), which has warned of losses at its Chrysler Group unit in the third quarter, is due to report earnings while Honda Motor (Charts) posted a slightly lower net income for the quarter, although the Japanese company raised its full-year earnings forecast due to strong sales of its fuel-efficient models in the United States.

Another record close for the Dow