S&P 500, Dow futures attempt recovery ahead of inflation report

FUTURES tracking the Dow and the S&P 500 indexes attempted a recovery after a three-day slide, as investors cautiously returned to equities ahead of inflation data later on Thursday.

The festering conflict in the Middle East has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July, clouding the outlook for equities and reinforcing expectations that interest rates could be raised this month.

Investors will closely watch the U.S. Producer Price Index report, due later in the session, for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve's rate path.

Although it typically gets less attention than the Consumer Price Index data, which will be published on Friday, any signs of accelerating input costs could reinforce fears that inflation pressures are broadening.