U.S. futures steady as debt worries re-emerge; Dow Jones up 0.01%

U.S. stock futures pointed to a steady open on Friday, as markets were jittery amid fresh concerns over the U.S. debt ceiling, although recent news the Federal Reserve chose to maintain its stimulus program lent some support to market sentiment. 

Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.01% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.02% dip, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.10% rise. 

U.S. stocks rallied after the Fed on Wednesday held back from reducing the USD85 billion pace of its monthly asset purchases. 

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke refused to commit to reducing bond purchases this year, saying the stimulus program was "not on a preset course." 

But investors remained cautious as U.S. Republicans and Democrats must quickly decide on how to continue funding the government and whether to increase the government's borrowing authority by raising the debt ceiling. 

If President Barack Obama's administration and Republicans do not come to an agreement to raise the nation's borrowing cap before October, the U.S. Treasury may be able to avoid exceeding the USD16.7 trillion debt limit, which could send the country into default. 

Apple shares were expected to be active, as the company's new iPhone 5 went on sale across the globe on Friday. 

Also in the tech sector, Microsoft, down 0.03% in extended trading, after Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, who will be retiring within a year, said the company is still working to make sure that the personal computer remains relevant as "the device of choice." 

Priceline.com was also likely to be in focus, after closing above USD1,000 a share yesterday, making the U.S. online travel site the ninth member of a club of U.S. companies trading in quadruple digits. 

Other stocks likely to remain in focus included Darden Restaurants, scheduled to report quarterly earnings later in the day. 

Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed. The EURO STOXX 50 added 0.15%, France’s CAC 40 inched up 0.05%, Germany's DAX added 0.09%, while Britain's FTSE 100 dipped 0.04%. 

During the Asian trading session, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.16%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index remained closed for a national holiday. 

Trading volumes were expected to remain light on Friday, as no U.S. economic data was to be released throughout the session.