US Stock Indices Rise with Energy Stocks Leading Gains
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 05 2026
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Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Strong Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.72% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.32%, reaching a new all-time high, reflecting strong market optimism regarding AI spending that boosted chipmakers and data storage companies.
- Energy Stock Rally: Following President Trump's announcement that the US will “run” Venezuela and require “total access” to its oil reserves, energy stocks surged, with Valero Energy leading gains at over 11%, indicating heightened market interest in energy resources.
- Rising Demand for Precious Metals: Geopolitical risks in South America have driven gold prices up by more than 3% and silver by over 7%, leading to gains in mining stocks, with Barrick Mining and Hecla Mining both rising over 4%, reflecting increased investor demand for safe-haven assets.
- Economic Data Impact: Despite the unexpected drop in the December ISM manufacturing index to 47.9, marking the steepest contraction in 14 months, dovish comments from the Philadelphia Fed President supported the stock market, suggesting continued optimism about future economic growth.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
