Global indicators early Tuesday suggest North American stock markets face a less-than-stellar trading day while crude oil prices continue to decline. Today, the latest U.S. inflation figures are due out.

Crude oil futures fell for a third straight day amid expectations that a recent spike in gasoline prices may undermine demand in the United States, the world’s biggest energy consumer.

Light sweet crude for October delivery fell 19 U.S. cents to US$63.15 a barrel by midday in Europe.

Wall Street futures also suggested a weak start for regular trading while European indexes dropped in early action.

Tokyo stocks squeaked by a new four-year high though selling in the oil and property sectors hurt Hong Kong, with Asian markets closing with mixed results.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index inched up 5.52 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 12,901.95, its highest level since June 29, 2001, when the Nikkei finished at 12,969.05.

In Hong Kong, shares slipped as traders sold oil and property issues amid a lack of leads. CNOOC Ltd. fell 1.8 per cent and fellow oil company Sinopec, or China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., lost 2.1 per cent after crude oil prices dropped.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index fell 129.23 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 15,070.56.

The Canadian dollar opened at 84.19 U.S. cents, down 0.13 of a cent. On Monday, the loonie fell 0.61 of a U.S. cent and last Friday the currency had hit a 13-year high of 85.27 U.S. cents in intraday trading, before giving up some of its gains.

Toronto stocks ended lower Monday, as the energy sector fell back on the lower price of oil.

The S&P/TSX composite index lost 13.04, or 0.12%, to close at 10,885.16. Volume was 204 million shares.

The Dow Jones industrial average edged ahead 4.38, or 0.04%, to 10,682.94, the S&P500 index dipped down 0.92, or 0.07%, to 1,240.56, while the Nasdaq composite index advanced 7.32, or 0.34%, to 2,182.83.