08:52 AM EDT, 08/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were flat ahead of Wednesday's opening bell as traders digested a report on consumer inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures flatlined, S&P 500 futures gained 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were also muted.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.3% at $80.92 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude up 0.2% at $78.51 per barrel.

The consumer price index, released at 8:30 am ET, came in at a 0.2% uptick for July, in line with estimates compiled by Bloomberg, following a 0.1% decline in June.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.6% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.4% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.6% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.2%, and Germany's DAX index increased 0.4% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of Kellanova ( K ) were 7% higher pre-bell after the company agreed to a $35.90 billion takeover by Mars. Cardinal Health ( CAH ) shares were up 7% after the company posted higher fiscal Q4 results and raised its fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings guidance.

On the losing side, TC BioPharm ( TCBP ) shares were down 45% after the company priced a $2 million registered direct offering of American depositary shares and pre-funded warrants.