US stocks head for moderately lower open

U.S. stock futures pointed to a moderately lower open Wednesday as investors awaited a report on retail sales and as oil prices advanced.
Wall Street is eager for insights into the retail sector and the health of the consumer, whose spending is the key driver of the economy. Analysts expect Commerce Department figures to show sales were flat in July after a minor increase in June.
Economists predict sales will come in unchanged at $384.2 billion. Without a drag from weakness in autos, however, July's numbers are seen rising 0.5 percent, according to Thomson/IFR. The report is due at 8:30 a.m. EDT....