Tech Stocks Rebound, Gold Sets Record, Oil Up on Venezuela – Investor Takeaway

U.S. stock markets opened higher on Monday, with tech shares bouncing back, gold reaching a fresh all‑time high and oil prices climbing amid rising tensions with Venezuela.

US Stock Indices Rise

At 09:36 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 180.3 points (0.37%) at 48,315.1. The S&P 500 gained 28.87 points (0.42%) to 6,863.4, and the Nasdaq Composite added 96.7 points (0.41%) to 23,404.3. Early trading saw even stronger moves: the Dow up 0.45%, the S&P 500 up 0.58% and the Nasdaq up 0.59%.

Key Economic Data Ahead

After last week’s mild inflation reading, investors are now watching several important releases due later this week:

• Preliminary third‑quarter U.S. GDP report
• December consumer‑confidence numbers
• Weekly jobless‑claims data

Top Movers

• Tesla (TSLA): +2.7%, hitting an all‑time high after the Delaware Supreme Court restored Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package.
• Nvidia (NVDA): +1.2%, after confirming plans to ship its second‑most powerful AI chips to Chinese customers before the Lunar New Year.
• Micron Technology (MU): +2%, continuing its recent rally.
• Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD): +4%, after Larry Ellison pledged a $40.4 billion personal guarantee for Paramount‑Skydance’s takeover offer, lifting Paramount shares +5.1%.
• Clearwater Analytics Holdings (CWAN): +8.4%, following a private‑equity deal valued at about $8.4 billion.
• JPMorgan Chase (JPM): +1%.
• Uber (UBER): +3.3%.
• Lyft (LYFT): +5%.

Gold Hits Record High

Spot gold surged to a new record, trading at $4,421.15 per ounce—a rise of almost 2%—after peaking at $4,428.92 earlier in the session. February U.S. gold futures were up 1.6% at $4,455.7 per ounce. The rally was helped by a weaker U.S. dollar and heightened safe‑haven demand amid rising U.S.–Venezuela tensions.

• Silver: +2.7% at $68.93 per ounce (up 138% year‑to‑date).
• Platinum: +5.3% at $2,068.
• Palladium: +3.2% at $1,767.68.

Oil Prices Climb

Crude oil rose as the market reacted to an escalation in U.S. naval activity near Venezuela and ongoing volatility in the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. By 13:16 GMT, Brent futures were up $1.31 (2.17%) at $61.78 a barrel, while U.S. WTI crude gained $1.25 (2.2%) to $57.77.

The main catalyst was the rapid expansion of a U.S. naval blockade targeting Venezuelan tankers. Over the weekend, the Coast Guard, backed by the Department of Defense, intercepted another oil tanker. Venezuelan crude makes up about 1% of global supply.

Disclaimer

Remember, this is perspective, not a prediction. Do your own research and consider your personal financial situation before making any investment decisions.