US stock markets kicked off the first full trading week of 2026 on a robust note, with major indices climbing higher at the opening bell on Monday. The rally was powered by a significant rebound in technology stocks and a sharp uptick in shares of energy companies, the latter reacting to major geopolitical developments over the weekend.
Market Indices Open in Green
The trading session on Monday, January 5, marked the commencement of the first complete week of market activity in the new year. US exchanges had opened briefly for the first time in 2026 on Friday, January 2, following the New Year's Day federal holiday. The momentum carried forward strongly into the new week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened with a solid gain of 93.4 points, or 0.19 per cent, reaching 48,475.81. The broader S&P 500 index was up by 33.7 points, translating to a 0.49 per cent rise, and stood at 6,892.19. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite witnessed the most substantial jump, climbing 214 points, or 0.92 per cent, to 23,449.67 at the opening.
Geopolitics Fuels Energy Sector Rally
A key driver behind the market's positive sentiment was a dramatic weekend event. The United States military's operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sent shockwaves through global commodity markets. This development had an immediate impact on Wall Street, particularly benefiting major oil corporations.
Shares of energy giants Chevron and ConocoPhillips surged more than 4 per cent each at the opening bell. ExxonMobil stock also saw a healthy increase of 2.1 per cent in early trading. The geopolitical tension bolstered oil prices, with US crude (WTI) climbing 1.3 per cent to $58.07 a barrel. The global benchmark, Brent crude, rose 1.1 per cent to $61.43 a barrel.
Tech Stocks in Focus Amid CES Show
The technology sector, which faced pressure in recent sessions, staged a notable comeback. Investor attention is firmly on the industry as the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gets underway in Las Vegas, showcasing the latest innovations.
Leading chipmaker Nvidia saw its shares rise by 0.8 per cent, while Intel enjoyed a more significant jump of 2.1 per cent at the market open. The stability in the bond market provided a supportive backdrop for equity investors. The yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note slipped marginally to 4.18 per cent from 4.19 per cent recorded late on Friday. Similarly, the two-year Treasury yield eased to 3.47 per cent from 3.48 per cent.
The strong opening sets an optimistic tone for the week ahead, with traders balancing the tailwinds from the tech sector's event calendar against the unfolding geopolitical narrative and its impact on energy markets and global stability.
