Markets kicked off the first full trading week of the new year with Venezuela back in the spotlight after U.S. military action over the weekend. Even so, stocks leaned higher as strategists largely downplayed the chances of any lasting economic fallout, keeping the broader market tone relatively steady. Here’s what’s happening…
- U.S. energy firms rallied Monday after President Donald Trump said American companies will help rebuild Venezuela’s long‑neglected oil sector following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Chevron, the only U.S. major still operating in the country under a sanctions waiver, jumped more than 6%, its biggest move since April. ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil also climbed, and oil‑service giants Halliburton, SLB, and Baker Hughes each gained over 5%. Trump said U.S. firms are prepared to pour billions into repairing Venezuela’s broken infrastructure and restoring production. Years of mismanagement, underinvestment, and sanctions have left the country’s oil industry in rough shape, with China serving as its main crude buyer. *
- The U.S. jobs report for December is set to be released this Friday, and the consensus estimates suggest a slowdown in job creation. It’s anticipated that around 54,000 jobs were added, a decrease from the 64,000 jobs created in November. Additionally, the unemployment rate is expected to tick up slightly, rising to 4.7% from 4.6% in the previous month. This report will be closely watched as it provides valuable insights into the health of the labor market and the broader economy. **
- The latest ISM (Institute for Supply Management) report showed U.S. manufacturing ending the year on a soft note. The headline index slipped to 47.9% in December, the lowest reading of 2025 and the 10th straight month in contraction territory (anything under 50% signals a pullback). Economists were looking for a tiny uptick, so this was a mild disappointment. New orders fell for the fourth month running, and production eased a bit to 51%. The one bright spot: the employment gauge ticked slightly higher, though it’s still deep in contraction at 44.9. Overall, just two of the 19 manufacturing industries reported growth in December, underscoring how sluggish the factory sector remains.***
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