U.S. stocks take a breather as investors assess geopolitics, economic data

Investors will focus on the Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. economic data releases next week to assess the near-term outlook for stocks, as the S&P 500 hovers just below its February highs. The S&P 500 has rebounded sharply from its early-April selloff, as tariff-related tensions have eased. However, the U.S. benchmark index appears to be taking a breather at some 2.7 per cent below its February closing high. The index has gone 27 trading sessions since coming within 5 per cent of its February high but has not yet set a new record. With Israel and Iran trading missiles, escalating threats…