US Stocks Rise as Energy Shares Surge on Venezuela Situation
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 05 2026
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Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Market Gains: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.54%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.99%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index climbed by 0.78%, reflecting strong market optimism regarding AI spending that is driving overall stock performance higher.
- Energy Stocks Surge: Following President Trump's announcement of a U.S. takeover of Venezuela, energy companies saw significant stock increases, with Valero Energy up over 9%, Halliburton and SLB rising more than 7%, indicating strong market demand for oil and gas resources.
- Rising Precious Metals Demand: Escalating geopolitical risks in South America led to gold prices increasing by over 2% and silver by more than 5%, boosting mining stocks like Barrick Mining and Newmont Mining by over 2%, reflecting investor preference for safe-haven assets.
- Fed Policy Expectations: Dovish comments from the Philadelphia Fed President supported stock market gains, with expectations of potential interest rate cuts in the future enhancing confidence in economic growth, further propelling positive stock market performance.
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.
