Gold rose nearly 1% on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar eased, while market participants braced for the minutes of the U.S. central bank's last policy meeting and upcoming Jackson Hole symposium for clues on future interest rate moves.

This week's set-piece event is the Jackson Hole central-bank gathering in Wyoming, slated for Thursday through Saturday. Investors will tune into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech for any hints on whether the central bank might kick off interest-rate cuts in September.

U.S. stock index futures declined on Wednesday, following a tech selloff on Wall Street, as investors geared up for more retail earnings and a crucial Federal Reserve symposium later this week.

U.S. stock index futures dipped on Wednesday, following a tech-led selloff on Wall Street, as investors parsed earnings from retailers Target and Lowe's for clues on consumer spending ahead of a key Federal Reserve symposium later this week.

Before the opening bell, Minnesota-based retailer Target and home improvement company Lowe's are slated to report quarterly results.