Dow Hits Record High After Venezuela Raid

U.S. stocks closed higher Monday, with all three major indexes posting solid gains. The S&P 500 climbed 43.58 points, or 0.6%, to 6,902.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 594.79 points, or 1.2%, reaching a record high of 48,977.18. The Nasdaq composite rose 160.19 points, or 0.7%, to 23,395.82.

Energy stocks were among the market’s top performers as oil prices moved higher following reports that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a weekend raid, according to the Associated Press. U.S. crude oil prices increased 1.7% to $58.32 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.7% to $61.76 per barrel.

President Trump has proposed a plan that would involve U.S. oil companies helping to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. Shares of major energy producers reacted strongly, with Chevron surging 5.1%, Exxon Mobil rising 2.2%, and ConocoPhillips gaining 2.6%, making them some of the strongest performers in the market. Venezuela’s oil sector has suffered years of neglect and international sanctions, leaving infrastructure in poor condition. While major investment would be needed to significantly boost production, some analysts believe current output of about 1.1 million barrels per day could double or even triple in a relatively short period.

Financial stocks also advanced, with JPMorgan Chase gaining 2.6% and Bank of America rising 1.6%.

Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor the technology sector as the industry gathers for the annual CES trade show in Las Vegas. Nvidia slipped 0.4%, though interest remains high in artificial intelligence developments. Technology stocks have driven much of the market’s record-setting performance in 2025 amid expectations that AI will fuel future innovation and profits.

In commodities markets, gold rose 2.8% and silver surged 7.9%. Precious metals are often viewed as safe-haven assets during periods of geopolitical uncertainty and have reached record levels over the past year due to ongoing conflicts, trade tensions, and broader economic concerns.

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