Markets are mixed but still constructive as investors balance record-setting U.S. equity momentum with softer retail sales and renewed oil uncertainty. The TSX is up 0.26%, while the TSX Venture Index is lower by 0.97%. In the U.S., the Dow is down 0.28%, while the Nasdaq is up 0.17% as technology names continue to attract buyers. London’s FTSE 100 is lower by 0.31%. The broader backdrop remains supportive for risk assets, with US stocks rise to a record as oil prices drop and inflation gets less bad reporting that softer producer inflation helped lift U.S. stocks to fresh highs. Sandisk stock surges as Wall Street cheers flash memory maker's bullish outlook also reinforced AI-linked memory demand, while Retail sales unexpectedly fall in July as government tax refunds fade pointed to softer consumer spending. Oil remains volatile after Oil steadies after US threatens to blockade Iran indefinitely, while U.S. equity fund inflows improved as rate-hike concerns eased.