US stock market rallies strongly as investors absorb Venezuela shock and focus on growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 400 points, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite also moved higher, signaling broad-based confidence across equity markets.
The Dow is near 48,858, up nearly 1% on the day. The S&P 500 rose roughly 0.5%, hovering around 6,890, while the Nasdaq gained about 0.4%, staying comfortably above 23,300. The gains came despite heightened geopolitical tension following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
The energy sector became the primary driver of market gains on Monday morning. Investors quickly assessed the impact of the US military operation in Venezuela. While Venezuela produces less than 1% of global oil, the potential for a leadership transition sent crude prices higher. WTI Crude rose 1.05% to $57.92, while Brent Crude reached $60.57.
Chevron, the only US major with active operations in Venezuela, saw its stock rise by 5% at the open. Other industry giants followed, with ExxonMobil gaining 1.5% and ConocoPhillips rising nearly 2%. Smaller energy players outperformed the majors. Kosmos Energy jumped 10% after reporting successful drilling results. Oilfield service providers like Halliburton and SLB also posted positive moves, signaling broad confidence in the energy complex.
Beyond geopolitics, the technology sector remained a pillar of market strength. Renewed optimism for Artificial Intelligence demand helped the Nasdaq Composite maintain its upward trajectory. Positive reports from key Nvidia suppliers, such as Foxconn and TSMC, acted as a catalyst for the sector. Foxconn reported record fourth-quarter revenue, citing massive demand for AI servers and infrastructure.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) saw shares surge after Goldman Sachs raised its price target. This momentum comes as the industry prepares for the CES tech show in Las Vegas. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is expected to deliver a keynote address that could further influence AI trade sentiment. Investors are currently prioritizing high-growth tech assets to hedge against traditional market volatility.
The capture of Maduro triggered an immediate rise in global defense stocks. Investors anticipate increased military spending as the US plans to temporarily oversee the Venezuelan transition. Palantir led the US defense gains with a 3.5% increase. Major contractors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics also traded higher.The impact was even more significant in European markets. BAE Systems rose 5%, and Germany’s Rheinmetall jumped over 7%. Even Chinese defense indices saw gains, with Wuhan Guide Infrared rising 10%. This global movement reflects a widespread investor shift toward “safe haven” defense assets during periods of international instability.
While the Venezuela situation dominates headlines, the US dollar has reached its highest level since mid-December. The US Dollar Index rose to 98.70 as traders sought security. However, this “US adventurism” has pressured regional currencies, including the Mexican and Colombian pesos. Despite the international drama, US Treasury yields remained stable at around 4.17%.
Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq rise together as risk appetite improves
The synchronized advance across all three major U.S. indices underscored the strength of the rally. The Dow’s nearly 1% jump reflected strong performance in industrials, energy, and defense stocks. The S&P 500’s move higher was broad, with most sectors finishing in the green, while the Nasdaq’s gains showed that investors remain willing to pay for growth, especially in AI-linked names.
Bond markets sent a supportive signal. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield slipped toward 4.17%, easing financial conditions and making equities relatively more attractive. This helped stabilize technology stocks after a mixed end to the previous week.
Here are the top stock gainers today
- Momentus (MNTS)
Momentus surged nearly 97% to $11.28, making it the top gainer of the day. Heavy trading volume of about 25 million shares suggests aggressive speculative and momentum-driven buying in the space sector. - Altimmune (ALT)
Altimmune jumped over 21% to $4.27. The biotech stock saw strong interest, likely driven by renewed optimism around its clinical pipeline and high-risk, high-reward positioning. - NuScale Power (SMR)
NuScale Power gained about 8%, trading near $17.63. Nuclear and clean-energy names remained in focus as investors rotated into long-term power generation themes. - NVIDIA (NVDA)
NVIDIA rose nearly 2% to $192.38, extending its momentum as AI demand optimism continues to support large-cap technology and semiconductor leaders. - Intel (INTC)
Intel climbed more than 3% to $40.67, supported by renewed confidence in U.S. chip manufacturing, AI infrastructure spending, and broader tech-sector strength. - Sidus Space (SIDU)
Sidus Space added about 3%, trading near $4.46, with elevated volume keeping the stock active alongside other speculative space-related names.
Market participants also looked ahead to a busy economic calendar. With the holidays behind them, investors are preparing for a full slate of U.S. data, including the closely watched monthly jobs report. Economists expect modest payroll growth of around 55,000, a number that could influence expectations for interest rate policy later in the year.
In short, Wall Street’s message was clear: geopolitical headlines may cause short-term volatility, but they are not derailing the broader market narrative centered on earnings growth, stable energy prices, and long-term innovation.
Energy stocks climb as oil prices tick higher but supply fears stay contained
Energy shares were among the session’s strongest performers, supported by firm crude prices and sector-wide buying. U.S. benchmark WTI crude rose to around $58 per barrel, while Brent crude traded near $61, both up close to 1% on the day. The move reflected geopolitical risk premiums rather than concerns about immediate supply disruptions.
Large integrated oil companies posted steady gains. Exxon Mobil traded in the low $120s, up roughly 1–1.5%, supported by stable oil prices and a strong balance sheet. Chevron, the only major U.S. oil company with operations in Venezuela, outperformed with gains of around 2–5% during the session, extending a recent rebound after earlier weakness.
Other upstream names such as ConocoPhillips, EOG Resources, and Occidental Petroleum also rose about 1–2%, moving broadly in line with the sector.
Smaller and mid-cap energy stocks delivered some of the biggest percentage gains. Kosmos Energy jumped nearly 10% after reporting successful drilling results at its J-74 well. Venture Global climbed more than 4%, while oilfield services firms like Liberty Energy and Oceaneering International surged between 4% and 5%.
The breadth of gains suggested broad institutional buying rather than a narrow, headline-driven trade. Refiners and service providers such as Valero, Halliburton, and SLB also posted solid, though more modest, advances.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro dominated headlines over the weekend, but financial markets reacted with restraint. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela “until a safe and proper transition,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized diplomatic leverage rather than long-term occupation.
China, one of Venezuela’s largest oil buyers, condemned the move but stopped short of threatening retaliation. Investors viewed this measured response as a sign that the situation would not escalate into a broader global conflict.
From a market perspective, the key factor was oil supply. Venezuela’s production has fallen sharply over the past decade and now represents a small share of global output. As a result, traders concluded that even significant political change would not dramatically alter near-term oil balances.
This assessment was reflected in prices. Crude rose modestly, not sharply, while energy equities advanced without signs of panic buying. Gold prices jumped as a hedge against uncertainty, and the U.S. dollar strengthened, but risk assets such as stocks continued to climb.
AI momentum, Nvidia spotlight, and global markets reinforce Wall Street confidence
Beyond geopolitics, optimism around artificial intelligence played a major role in lifting sentiment. Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company surged after Goldman Sachs raised its price target, citing expectations for another year of strong demand. Taiwan’s Foxconn reported record quarterly revenue, driven largely by AI server orders.
These developments kept the spotlight on NVIDIA, which is set to headline the CES technology conference in Las Vegas. Investors are watching closely for updates on AI hardware, robotics, and next-generation computing, themes that have powered much of the Nasdaq’s gains over the past year.
Defense stocks also advanced globally as investors anticipated higher military spending amid rising geopolitical risk. In the U.S., names such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and RTX edged higher, while European defense stocks posted even stronger gains.
Taken together, the day’s market action painted a clear picture. Investors are acknowledging geopolitical risks but remain focused on earnings growth, energy stability, and long-term technological transformation. The strong start to the year for U.S. equities suggests that, for now, Wall Street believes the underlying economic story remains intact.
As the week unfolds, attention will turn to economic data, central bank signals, and corporate guidance. But for this session, the message was unmistakable: U.S. stocks are willing to climb, even in the shadow of global uncertainty.