New York - US stock index futures were little changed on Friday, with the S&P on track for a fourth straight weekly advance, ahead of data on consumer sentiment.
* The Dow industrials closed at a record high on Thursday, boosted by gains in Wal-Mart, but the S&P 500 was little changed as energy shares tracked crude futures prices lower.
* Investors will eye October retail sales data at 8:30 am EST (14:30 SA time).
Expectations call for a 0.2 percent rise versus the 0.3 decline in the prior month.
Also due at 8:30 am is data on import prices.
* The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary November reading on consumer sentiment is expected later in the session at 9:55 am (15:55 SA time).
Expectations call for a reading of 87.5 versus the final October reading of 86.9.
* The S&P 500 is up 0.4 percent for the week and has rallied 9.5 percent from a six-month low in October, buoyed by supportive economic data and corporate earnings. For the year so far, it is up 10.3 percent.
* Baker Hughes gained 3.5 percent to $60.80 (R682) in premarket trade after the oilfield services company said it is in preliminary merger talks with its larger rival Halliburton.
* Geron surged 46.3 percent to $3.38 before the opening bell after it licensed its cancer compound to a Johnson & Johnson unit for up to $935 million.
* In Europe, FTSEurofirst 300 declined after growth data showed regional economies continue to struggle.
Asian stocks fell following fresh signs of slowing Chinese growth.
* S&P 500 e-minis were up 0.25 point, or 0.01 percent, with 128 260 contracts changing hands.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 3.25 points, or 0.08 percent, in volume of 18 433 contracts.
* Dow e-minis were up 4 points, or 0.02 percent, with 21 513 contracts changing hands. - Reuters