US stock index futures edged lower following a rally in the previous session, as cracks emerged in a fragile Middle East ceasefire and investors shifted their attention to key US inflation data due later today.

** As of 11:45 CET, Dow E-minis were down 187 points, or 0.39%, S&P 500 E-minis shed 24.75 points, or 0.36%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis retreated 73.00 points, or 0.3%.

** US President Donald Trump pledged to maintain military forces in the Middle East until a peace deal is reached with Iran, warning of a major escalation should agreements be breached, following continued fighting despite the ceasefire announced on Tuesday.

** Uncertainty regarding energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz sparked a rebound in oil prices, though they remain below 100 dollars per barrel. The energy sector was trading slightly higher in pre-market activity.

** Investors are set to parse February's Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, scheduled for release at 14:30 CET.

** Economists polled by Reuters expect the PCE index to hold steady at 2.8% year-on-year, unchanged from January.

** Market participants are also monitoring the final reading of fourth-quarter economic growth, due at the same time today.

** The March Consumer Price Index (CPI) — scheduled for tomorrow at 14:30 CET — will be a primary focus, as investors gauge the economic impact of rising oil prices resulting from the conflict.

(Translated by Enrico Sciacovelli, editing by Stefano Bernabei)