Analysts polled by Reuters are expecting consumer prices (CPI) data to rise by 4.1% in April, compared to a 4.3% increase the previous month; the data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index were down 0.2% at 7:16 a.m. ET.

Contracts tied to base metals and crude oil were subdued as disappointing economic data from top consumer China clouded the demand outlook for raw materials. [O/R] [MET/L]

Bullion prices were also dull after multiple U.S. central bank officials indicated they expect interest rates to stay higher. [GOL/]

Among company news, miner Lithium Americas Corp said first-quarter loss narrowed significantly, aided by gains from an earlier investment made by U.S. automaker General Motors Co.  

Pilots at Onex Corp's WestJet Group gave notice that could allow for strike action as early as May 19 on demands for higher salaries and better scheduling.

Market participants are also keeping a keen eye on the outcome of talks in Washington that would determine if the world's largest economy would default on its trillion-dollar debt obligations.

In the previous session, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended 0.6% higher, aided by gains in energy and materials stocks. [.TO]

Dow e-minis were down 82 points, or 0.25%, at 7:16 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-minis were down 4.25 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 3 points, or 0.02%. [.N]

COMMODITIES AT 7:16 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $2,012; -0.5% [GOL/]

US crude: $71.07; -0.04% [O/R]

Brent crude: $75.17; -0.09% [O/R]

U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON TUESDAY

April Retail Sales data due at 8:30 a.m. ET

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report [.TO]

Canadian dollar and bonds report [CAD/] [CA/]

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada

Canadian markets directory

($1 = 1.3372 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Vansh Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)