Stocks in the US surged on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average leading the gains as Wall Street kicked off the first full trading week of 2026.
The Dow hit fresh highs and delivered a notably strong rise after a weekend of geopolitical drama in Venezuela.
The Dow climbed 1.5% by 18:00 GMT, sitting at 49,146.89, putting the blue‑chip index at new record levels. Energy and financial stocks were among the biggest contributors to the rally.
Major oil and energy names helped buoy the index. Chevron’s shares climbed strongly, while other energy companies such as Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips also saw gains in pre‑market trading. Rising crude prices and optimism about potential shifts in Venezuelan oil output prospects fed into the rally.
Financials added to the upside, with big contributions from the likes of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, helping to broaden the advance beyond energy stocks. This wider participation echoed enthusiasm about stronger risk appetite at the start of the week.
While the Dow and S&P gained ground, tech results were mixed. Some major technology components showed modest moves, with companies such as Tesla rebounding on the session, even as broader tech indexes saw less uniform strength.
The boost in equities comes alongside ongoing speculation about future Fed policy and upcoming US economic data, including the nonfarm payrolls and inflation reads that could shape rate expectations in 2026. Traders are also weighing how geopolitical developments might affect energy markets and broader risk flows.
Market Summary at 18:00 GMT
- Dow Jones Industrial Average 1.5% – 49,152.27
- S&P 500 0.74% – 6,910.91
- Nasdaq Composite 0.72% 23,402.47