Mixed US Stocks as Retail Sales Disappoint Amid Middle East Tensions

US stock markets traded mixed on Friday after a day of record highs for the S&P 500. Investors weighed weaker-than-expected retail sales data and monitored developments in the Middle East.

The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped less than 0.1%. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.2%.

US retail sales declined 0.6% in July to $763.6 billion, falling short of economists' expectations. Lower gasoline prices and Amazon's move of Prime Day may have contributed to the decline.

Oil prices remained relatively stable after sharp swings in recent sessions. Investors assessed uncertainty surrounding a potential Hormuz agreement and tensions between the US and Iran.