08:19 AM EDT, 03/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were mixed Tuesday ahead of the release of the crucial monthly consumer inflation report.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 0.05%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.4%.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.1% at $82.32 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude up 0.1% at $77.99 per barrel.

Consumer prices are seen advancing 0.4% in February following a 0.3% rise in the preceding month. Meanwhile, core prices are expected to increase by 0.3% for the month versus a 0.4% gain previously.