US stocks edge down weighed by software sector

US stocks ended Thursday lower after touching record highs earlier in the day, pressured by weak performance in the software sector, alongside concerns over a potential collapse of the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.36%, or 179 points, to 49,310.

The broader S&P 500 declined 0.41%, or 29 points, to 7,108, after hitting an intraday record of 7,147.

The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.89%, or 219 points, to 24,438, after also touching a record high of 24,664 during the session.

In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 was flat at 614 points, amid mixed performance across major indices and sectors.

The UK’s FTSE 100 fell 0.19% to 10,457, while Germany’s DAX declined 0.16% to 24,155. In contrast, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.87% to 8,227.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 ended the session down 0.75% at 59,140, while the broader Topix index fell 0.76% to 3,716.

As for the oil market, Brent crude futures for June delivery surged 3.10%, or $3.16, to $105.07 per barrel, after touching $107.40 earlier in the session.

Nymex crude futures for June delivery rose 3.11%, or $2.89, to $95.85 per barrel.

Gold futures for June delivery declined 0.61%, or $29, to $4,724 per ounce.

What’s Driving Markets?

Software stocks declined following earnings releases from several companies, heightening concerns around developments in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East shifted toward maritime confrontation amid a fragile ceasefire, pushing oil prices sharply higher.