Stock index futures held gains on Wednesday after data showed private sector employment rose by 170,000 in January, less than the consensus forecast for 185,000 and below December's downwardly revised 292,000.

S&P 500 futures rose 8.6 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures added 86 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 11.5 points.

(Reporting By Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)