U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Tuesday as investors awaited key economic data, including the retail sales report, for more evidence of an economic recovery.

Stock futures are modestly lower Tuesday as investors await three reports that could provide insight into any potential economic recovery.

Wholesale prices probably rose last month after dropping in July due to a steep decline in energy prices. Economists are not worried about inflation, however, as the economy struggles to mount a sustained recovery.

Retail sales likely rose sharply in August as auto sales received a major boost from the government’s Cash for Clunkers program.

Recognizing that many people see them as villains, the financial industry and big business groups working to stop key elements of President Barack Obama’s financial overhaul are taking a new tack.

Businesses likely trimmed their inventories for a 11th straight month in July, but the reduction is expected to be at a slower pace than in the previous month as sales show modest signs of improving and the recession winds down.

Analysts expect few surprises when Adobe Systems Inc. reports its fiscal third-quarter earnings after the closing bell Tuesday.

Air France-KLM is in talks to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Japan Airlines, a source familiar with the matter said, joining a list of suitors seeking a minority stake in the loss-making Japanese carrier to gain access to its route network.

President Barack Obama warned financial firms on Monday to heed the lessons of Lehman Brothers’ collapse a year ago and get behind a regulatory overhaul he wants Congress to pass this year.

Toy maker Mattel Inc. said Monday it would move its stock listing to the Nasdaq Global Select Market from the New York Stock Exchange, as of Sept. 28.