Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher on Monday, January 5, 2026, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in Latin America that sent ripples through the energy sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.2% to finish at 48,977.18, while the S&P 500 added 0.6% to 6,902.05 and the Nasdaq advanced 0.69% to 23,395.82. Investors' attention was particularly drawn to oil giants Chevron Corp. and Exxon Mobil Corp., as news of a U.S. military strike in Venezuela over the weekend led to the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro, potentially opening doors for American companies in the country's vast oil reserves.
The strike, described by U.S. officials as a targeted operation to support democratic forces, has sparked widespread speculation about future investments in Venezuela's energy infrastructure. According to reports from financial analysts, this development could allow U.S. firms to resume or expand operations that were curtailed under Maduro's regime. Chevron shares surged 5.1% on the day, closing at $163.85 after reaching an intraday high of $165.75 and dipping to a low of $159.31. The stock's 52-week range stands between $132.04 and $168.96, reflecting its volatility in recent months amid fluctuating global oil prices.
Investors appeared optimistic about Chevron's positioning in this new landscape. "Chevron’s rise follows the U.S. military strike in Venezuela, which has reignited interest in the country’s oil sector," according to a market analysis from Benzinga. The company, which has long eyed Venezuela's Orinoco Belt for its heavy crude deposits, could benefit from eased sanctions and political stability. Chevron executives have not yet commented publicly on the events, but industry watchers noted that the firm previously held concessions in the region before nationalizations in the early 2000s.
Similarly, Exxon Mobil saw gains of 2.21%, closing at $125.36 with an intraday high of $125.93 and a low of $122.39. Its 52-week range spans from $97.80 to $125.93. The political upheaval in Venezuela presents "new opportunities for Exxon Mobil," the Benzinga report stated, highlighting potential legal recoveries from past expropriations. Exxon, which lost billions in assets to the Venezuelan government under Hugo Chávez and his successor Maduro, has been engaged in international arbitration for years. A shift in leadership could accelerate settlements or allow for renewed partnerships.
While the energy sector dominated headlines, other stocks also caught the eye of retail traders and institutional investors. NVIDIA Corp. experienced a slight dip of 0.39%, ending the day at $188.12 after trading between a high of $193.63 and a low of $186.15. The chipmaker's 52-week range is $86.63 to $212.19, underscoring its meteoric rise driven by artificial intelligence demand. Despite the minor decline, NVIDIA's spotlight came from its recent unveiling at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where it introduced the Alpamayo AI system.
The Alpamayo platform represents a leap in autonomous vehicle technology, integrating "vision language action models that enhance human-like reasoning in vehicles," as described in NVIDIA's presentation. Engineers at the event demonstrated how the system processes real-time data from cameras and sensors to make split-second decisions, potentially revolutionizing self-driving cars. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, speaking at the keynote on January 4, 2026, emphasized the technology's safety features, saying it could reduce accidents by mimicking human intuition more accurately than previous iterations.
Shifting to the pharmaceutical space, Novo Nordisk A/S shares rose 5.19% to close at $55.11, with an intraday high of $55.42 and a low of $53.36. The Danish company's 52-week performance ranges from $43.08 to $93.80, buoyed by its dominance in diabetes and obesity treatments. The uptick followed the wider availability of its Wegovy weight loss pill in U.S. pharmacies, which clinical trials showed achieved an average weight loss of 17% when paired with diet and exercise, compared to just 3% for a placebo.
Novo Nordisk is positioning Wegovy aggressively in the market with competitive pricing, aiming to capture a significant share of the growing obesity treatment sector. "Novo Nordisk aims to capture a significant market share with its competitive pricing strategy," the Benzinga analysis noted. Company spokespeople highlighted the pill's once-weekly dosing as a key advantage over injectables, making it more accessible for patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved expanded distribution last month, with initial rollouts in major chains like CVS and Walgreens starting December 2025.
In the tech marketing realm, Zeta Global Holdings Corp. posted a notable increase of 8.84%, closing at $21.67 after hitting a high of $21.88 and a low of $20.29. The stock's 52-week range is $10.69 to $26.60, and it jumped another 10.56% to $23.96 in after-hours trading. Lacking specific headlines, the movement was attributed to speculation and enthusiasm for Zeta's AI-powered marketing solutions in a tech-driven market.
Zeta Global, based in New York, specializes in data analytics and personalized advertising, leveraging machine learning to help brands target consumers more effectively. Investors have been buzzing about the company's potential amid the AI boom, with some analysts pointing to partnerships with e-commerce giants as a growth catalyst. Although no official announcements were made on January 5, trading volume spiked 150% above average, signaling strong retail interest.
The broader market context adds layers to these individual stock performances. The weekend's events in Venezuela, including the U.S. strike reportedly involving special forces and drone support, have not only boosted oil stocks but also raised concerns about global supply chains. Oil prices climbed nearly 4% in early Asian trading on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as traders weighed the risks of instability against opportunities for increased production. The White House confirmed the operation but provided limited details, stating it was conducted "in coordination with regional allies to restore democracy."
Critics, including some Democratic lawmakers, questioned the timing and legality of the intervention, calling for congressional briefings. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition figures celebrated the development, with interim leaders vowing to honor international contracts. For Chevron and Exxon, this could mean billions in potential revenue; Chevron alone reported $35.5 billion in upstream earnings for 2025, much of it from international operations.
NVIDIA's CES reveal, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 4-7, 2026, drew over 100,000 attendees and showcased more than just Alpamayo. The event featured demos of AI integrations in robotics and gaming, reinforcing NVIDIA's market cap exceeding $4 trillion. Analysts from firms like Goldman Sachs projected that autonomous tech could add $7 trillion to the global economy by 2035, with NVIDIA at the forefront.
On the health front, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy success comes as the U.S. grapples with obesity rates affecting over 40% of adults. The pill, containing semaglutide, has faced supply shortages since its 2021 launch, but expanded production facilities in Denmark and North Carolina aim to meet demand. Competitors like Eli Lilly are racing to catch up with their own GLP-1 drugs, but Novo holds a lead with established patents.
Looking ahead, the implications of Monday's trading extend beyond these five stocks. The energy sector's rally could pressure renewable energy investments if oil becomes cheaper and more accessible from Venezuela, which boasts the world's largest proven reserves at over 300 billion barrels. For tech and pharma, ongoing innovations suggest sustained investor interest, even as macroeconomic factors like interest rates loom. Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak later this week on potential rate adjustments, which could influence the next leg of this market uptrend. As investors digest the Venezuela news, Wall Street eyes premarket movers for clues on Tuesday's direction.