The S&P 500 traded in a tight, directionless range on Thursday as investors paused to catch their breath following a week of record-breaking milestones. Market sentiment remains cautious, with participants closely monitoring potential developments regarding a peace deal in the Middle East, while a rise in Brent crude prices and climbing Treasury yields added further pressure on the broader market. While the AI-driven rally continues to support chipmakers like Marvell and AMD, the software sector took a notable hit. Companies such as AppLovin and Datadog saw sharp declines after releasing disappointing earnings reports, cooling the enthusiasm that had previously propelled tech valuations to new heights.

Elsewhere, the market navigated mixed signals from individual corporate performances and economic data. Honeywell Aerospace shares plummeted after the company lowered its annual sales targets due to supply-chain constraints, whereas Parker-Hannifin enjoyed a significant boost following an optimistic profit forecast. Meanwhile, all eyes are turning toward Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report, which is expected to offer crucial clues regarding the Federal Reserve's future interest rate trajectory. In the backdrop, SpaceX shares showed resilience despite the expiration of an insider lock-up period, suggesting that early investors are waiting for more favorable pricing before moving to monetize their holdings.