New York — Stock futures climbed on Monday following a significant U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Investors appeared optimistic that the situation would not escalate into a broader geopolitical crisis, as crude oil prices remained relatively stable.
Early trading saw energy stocks taking the lead, buoyed by expectations of potential reconstruction opportunities in Venezuela’s oil sector. The S&P 500 futures rose by 0.3%, driven by gains in established firms like Chevron and Exxon Mobil. Meanwhile, Nasdaq-100 futures experienced a 0.6% increase as traders continued to favor semiconductor stocks, including AMD.
Chevron’s stock surged 7%, marking it as a primary beneficiary of the recent upheaval due to its existing investments in Venezuela, which is rich in oil reserves. Other energy-related companies, such as Halliburton and SLB, also saw their shares jump by 9% each, reflecting growing optimism about future contracts for rebuilding efforts.
The military action resulted in Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being transported to New York, where they face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy. Analysts noted that this dramatic development represents a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations, yet many expressed skepticism about its immediate impact on U.S. markets.
Matthew Aks, a policy analyst at Evercore ISI, commented that despite the gravity of the situation, it is unlikely to disrupt financial markets in the short term. He suggested that investors may have to navigate the usual uncertainty that surrounds President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
U.S. defense contractors also made gains, reflecting the administration’s approach of utilizing swift military action in response to international crises. Companies like General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin each increased around 1%.
In a show of caution amidst the bullish stock market, traders sought refuge in gold, with futures contracts tied to the precious metal soaring by 2.4%. Bitcoin also made headlines by trading above $93,000, indicating a renewed interest in cryptocurrency as a hedge.
Despite positive trends, Wall Street had a mixed performance during its first trading session of the year. While the S&P 500 and Dow Jones posted gains, the Nasdaq struggled, finishing just below even.
Looking ahead, traders are eagerly anticipating the December jobs report scheduled for release on Friday, which is projected to reveal an addition of 54,000 jobs to the U.S. economy. This data will be closely watched as economists assess the ongoing economic recovery in light of recent international events.








