US STOCKS-Futures flat, consumer sentiment data on tap

* G8 leaders say global recovery more "self-sustained"
* But group says higher commodity prices a problem
* Pending home sales, sentiment data awaited
* Dow down 4 pts, S&P up 0.3 pt, Nasdaq down 1 pt
* For up-to-the-minute market news see [STXNEWS/US]
By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, May 27 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Friday after the Group of Eight leaders of rich nations said the world's economic recovery was more "self-sustained" but faced headwinds.
* This has been a choppy week for equities, with steep losses early offset by a rally in the past two days. The S&P 500 was down 0.6 percent for the week. Trading volume could be anemic on Friday ahead of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday.
* The losses early in the week came on worries about euro-zone sovereign debt, as well as concerns that global demand was slowing. While there are few catalysts seen for strong positive advances, technical support suggests there is a floor for stocks.
* The Group of Eight leaders agreed on Friday that the global economic recovery was becoming more "self-sustained," though higher commodity prices were hampering further growth. For details, see [ID:nLDE74Q0CZ]
* Among economic reports, April pending home sales will be released at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT). Economists see a 1 percent decline compared with a 5.1 percent increase in the previous month. The May Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers is seen essentially holding steady at April's level.
* Personal income and consumption data will be released earlier on Friday.
* S&P 500 futures SPc1 rose 0.3 point and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures DJc1 fell 4 points and Nasdaq 100 futures NDc1 fell 1 point.
* EBay (EBAY.O) and its online payment unit, PayPal Inc, on Thursday sued Google Inc (GOOG.O) and two executives, claiming they stole trade secrets related to mobile payment systems. [ID:nN26265950]
* Google, along with MasterCard (MA.N), Citigroup (C.N), Sprint (S.N) and transaction processing company First Data, unveiled a system that will allow shoppers to use mobile phones to pay for items at the checkout counter. [ID:nN26241064]
* Macau casino operator MGM China raised $1.5 billion from its Hong Kong initial public offering after pricing it at the top of its indicated range, triggering some concerns about lofty valuations. The firm is co-owned by MGM Resorts International (MGM.N), shares of which rose 1 percent to $15.88 in light premarket trading.

* U.S. stocks rose for a second day on Thursday in a choppy session, with technology and consumer discretionary stocks leading the way after upbeat earnings.

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