Major U.S. Indices Broadly Higher, Energy and Defense Stocks Lead

The major averages were broadly higher near noon as the markets begin their first full trading week of the year. Energy and defense stocks have been among the early leaders after a dramatic weekend in geopolitics. The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and traders appear to be pricing in potential long-term implications for U.S. oil access and defense spending, even as oil prices themselves have been mixed.The geopolitical shock has added a dose of uncertainty but has not triggered broad market panic. Instead, some investors are seeing it as a catalyst for sector rotation. Major U.S. oil companies and energy services firms are outperforming, while safe-haven assets like gold have jumped to multi-week highs as uncertainty rises. Precious metals are drawing renewed interest, with gold climbing nearly 3% towards a record high, reflecting traditional haven demand as geopolitical risk reenters the market picture.At the same time, the U.S. dollar has strengthened against major currencies as traders look past weekend developments toward a busy week of economic data including employment and manufacturing reports that could reshape the outlook for Federal Reserve policy in 2026.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Shares of oil majors Chevron, Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, and Baker Hugheswere rising af the U.S. is expected to bein Venezuela's oilVersanthasfrom Comcastand has commenced trading on NasdaqNovo Nordisk'sWegovy pill is nowQXOannounced a $1.2B convertibleled by Apollo GlobalToyotareported Q4 North America2. WALL STREET CALLS:IBMto Buy from Hold at JefferiesFortiveto Underperform from Outperform at MizuhoCostcoto Outperform at MizuhoAdobeto Hold at JefferiesDuolingoto Buy at BofA on underappreciated entertainment value3. AROUND THE WEB:Australia's BlueScope Steelsaid on Monday it received an $8.78B takeover proposal from an investor group comprising billionaire Kerry Stokes-owned SGH and Steel Dynamics, Reuters reportsSamsungplans to double the number of mobile devices it produces with the "Galaxy AI" feature, which is powered by Google'sGemini, Reuters saysLondon is set to become the first city where both U.S. and Chinese robotaxis operate, as Waymoand Baiduprepare to launch their robotaxis in the city in 2026, FT reportsCiscois in advanced talks to acquire cybersecurity company Axonius for $2B, CTech reportsPalo Alto Networksis in talks to acquire Israeli cybersecurity startup Koi for $400M, CTech reports4. MOVERS:GH Researchincreases after U.S. FDAon its Investigational New Drug Application for GH001Altimmunegains after receiving the U.S. FDAfor pemvidutideKosmoshigher afterZenas BioPharmalower after announcing its Phase 3met its primary endpointOmnicom (OMC) falls after BofAthe stock to Underperform5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCEAmpliTech Groupfor FY25 and FY26Healthy Choice WellnessCrineticsPALSONIFY U.S. preliminary net product revenueCommercial Metalson January 8, 2026PriceSmarton January 7, 2026INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 1.50%, or 725.13, to 49,107.52, the Nasdaq was up 0.91%, or 211.90, to 23,447.53, and the S&P 500 was up 0.85%, or 58.33, to 6,916.80.