S+P 500 futures higher with US retail sales in the spotlight later today

As noted here earlier today, the S+P 500 was unable to break any fresh ground yesterday and only managed to gain 7 points by the close. The high seen was set at 5,636.05 and the index later closed at 5,633.09. The S+P was held back by losses in the tech sector and the Nasdaq 100 and so it could not follow the Dow Jones and reach new records. The index did not come close to testing for any residual resistance at 5,650 let alone threatening the current record high at 5.669.67. That said the futures are higher this morning and right now pricing a reopening above 5,640. However, we do have some important US data later today and that is the August retail sales report (12.30pm GMT). That report is expected to show sales falling back last month, by around 0.2%, compared to a 1% rise seen in July. Depending on what shows up there, it could further shape the opening outlook for the index later today