Stocks slip in cautious trading after weak US retail sales data

Specialist Michael Pistillo works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026, in New York. (Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura) 15 Aug 2026 05:42AM NEW YORK: Stock markets retreated in sparse summer trading Friday (Aug 14), with the uncertain outlook for the Middle East war and the US economy prompting investor caution ahead of the weekend.Oil prices turned higher and investors braced for further volatility as US and Iranian officials insisted on control of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut to tanker traffic by Iran since the US and Israeli launched strikes nearly six months ago.On Wall Street, where the S&P 500 hit a new record high on Thursday, stocks slipped into negative territory, and most European indexes ended lower after a mixed showing in Asia.Weaker t