Stocks futures edged down on Wednesday, pointing to a slightly weaker start for Wall Street, with some caution persisting ahead of a private sector jobs report.

Futures for the Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were all down 0.1 percent.

The ADP report, due at 1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. ET), is expected to show the private sector created 40,000 jobs in March as the world's largest economy emerges from recession.

The report will be keenly eyed as it comes ahead of the crucial non-farm payrolls figures, which are due on Friday when U.S. markets are closed.

Other economic data likely to garner interest include March's New York ISM survey, Chicago PMI, February factory orders and the revised February durable goods orders.

Among companies reporting results on Wednesday include Mosaic which releases third-quarter earnings. Analysts expect the firm to post $0.62 earnings per share compared to $0.13 a year ago.

Other companies to report include Micron Technology, Acuity Brands, A.Schulman, Research in Motion and Rite Aid

The U.S. economic recovery is gathering speed as business activity picks up pace, despite lingering weakness in employment, Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Richard Fisher said on Tuesday.

The remarks suggested Fisher, a self-proclaimed inflation hawk whose tone had become rather dovish in recent months, was warming up to the idea of removing some of the heavy monetary accommodation applied by the Fed.

U.S. stocks rose in a slow session on Tuesday on data showing more stabilization in the economy, while Apple Inc

rallied on a report that it was developing a new iPhone.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 0.1 percent, the S&P 500 closed flat and the Nasdaq closed up 0.3 percent.

SAIC Inc shares fell more than 6 percent after the closing bell on Tuesday after the company posted quarterly results. Shares last traded down 6.7 percent at $17.71.

Redwood Trust Inc is looking to float at least $200 million worth of securities backed by home mortgage loans, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation.

Honeywell International Inc shares rose more than 2 percent in extended trading on Tuesday after the company revised its earnings-per-share guidance. Shares last traded up 2.8 percent at $46.20.

In Europe, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares gained 0.3 percent in early trade on Wednesday, heading for their fourth consecutive quarterly gain, led by rallying banks while steady oil prices boosted energy stocks.

(Reporting by Harpreet Bhal; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)

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