US stock markets reached new record highs on Tuesday as investors reacted to recent developments in Venezuela and anticipated a series of economic data releases set to provide insights into the country’s financial health. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, achieving a new all-time close, while the Nasdaq Composite also gained 0.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1%, closing above 49,000 for the first time in history, marking consecutive record-breaking sessions for the blue-chip index.
Investor enthusiasm focused sharply on the semiconductor sector after influential presentations from Nvidia and AMD during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, unveiled the Vera Rubin AI superchip platform, while AMD’s CEO, Lisa Su, showcased the upcoming Helios system. Additionally, Intel and Qualcomm presented new PC chips, further fuelling the excitement within the tech community as the event continues to unfold.
In the tech sector, shares of Amazon, Micron, and Broadcom experienced notable upticks, contributing to the overall market positivity. However, investors remain vigilant, awaiting critical reports on the labor market and additional economic indicators this week. A key focus is on the December jobs report scheduled for release on Friday, which could have significant implications for Federal Reserve interest rate policies, especially as the previous months’ data has been sparse due to government shutdowns.
Commodities also experienced fluctuations, with copper prices breaking the $13,000 per ton threshold, driven by fears of potential tariffs related to former President Trump’s administration. This surge has reportedly led to increased stockpiling in the US, creating shortages elsewhere.
Meanwhile, fresh economic data from S&P Global indicated that the US services sector grew at its slowest pace in eight months as it reported a Services PMI reading of 52.5 for December—down from initial expectations. This signals systemic caution, primarily due to uncertainties around government policies and broader economic conditions.
While the stock market reacted positively to the latest news, recent geopolitical events, including the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, were initially deemed inconsequential by financial analysts. Some market observers view it as a “risk-on” signal, igniting optimism reminiscent of significant political events in previous years that led to market rallies.
Forward-looking reactions to these conditions also manifested in varied performances across sectors. Stocks for HVAC companies fell following Nvidia’s CES announcement concerning the Vera Rubin systems, which could diminish the need for traditional cooling solutions in data centers.
In related news, earlier reported gains for Oklo stock continued after a major investment by the US Department of Energy in domestic uranium enrichment, highlighting the administration’s commitment to bolstering the nuclear energy sector.
The day concluded with positive movements across various sectors, contributing to a robust start for US equities in 2026, as investors further turn their attentions to corporate earnings and ongoing developments in artificial intelligence and economic stability.
