US equity futures were lower pre-bell Wednesday, with futures of technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite leading the losses after sector heavyweight Nvidia (NVDA) revealed an expected $5.5 billion charge in fiscal Q1 linked to exports to China.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 0.1%, S&P 500 futures fell 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were down 1.4%.

The chipmaker said late Tuesday the estimated charge relates to its H20 product line after the US government mandated it to secure an export license for China, Hong Kong, Macau, and D5 countries.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.9% at $65.27 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.9% higher at $61.88 per barrel.

Retail sales, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, are expected to have risen by 1.3% in March following a 0.2% uptick in February, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Forecasters see a 0.2% drop in industrial production, due at 9:15 am ET, for March versus a 0.7% gain previously.

The housing market index, slated for 10 am ET, is expected to decline to 38 in April from 39 previously.