U.S. equity futures nudged higher in early Wednesday trading, while the dollar eased and Treasury yields steadied, as investors braced for a crucial December inflation report that could define the market's direction over the coming weeks.

The closely scrutinized monthly consumer-price index is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. Here are some key points to know ahead of the report: Economists expect annual inflation to come in at 2.9% as of December,