Monday saw major U.S. stock indexes close higher as investors responded to a mix of geopolitical developments and corporate progress. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.2%, settling at 48,977.18. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 went up by 0.6% to finish at 6,902.05, and the Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.69%, reaching 23,395.82.
The weekend brought a significant geopolitical event as the United States executed a military strike in Venezuela, resulting in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. This intervention has intensified attention toward the Venezuelan oil sector, with U.S. companies positioned to increase their investment and involvement in the country's oil industry.
Individual Stock Performances Drawing Market Interest
Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX)
Chevron shares appreciated notably by 5.1%, closing at $163.85. Over the trading day, the stock exhibited volatility with an intraday high of $165.75 and a low of $159.31. Chevron’s share price remains within a 52-week range of $132.04 to $168.96. The recent U.S. military action has revived dialogue around Venezuela's oil potential, and investors appear optimistic about Chevron's prospects to benefit from these geopolitical changes.
NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA)
NVIDIA stock experienced a marginal decline of 0.39%, ending the session at $188.12. The stock's intraday movements spanned from a high of $193.63 to a low of $186.15, with a 52-week trading range of $86.63 to $212.19. At CES 2026, NVIDIA introduced Alpamayo AI, a breakthrough in autonomous vehicle technology that combines vision-language-action models. This advancement aims to enhance vehicles' reasoning capacities, imparting a more human-like approach to autonomy.
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO)
Shares of Novo Nordisk increased by 5.19%, closing at $55.11. The stock fluctuated between an intraday high of $55.42 and a low of $53.36, within its 52-week range of $43.08 to $93.80. The company's weight loss medication, Wegovy, now available in U.S. pharmacies, is generating attention due to positive clinical outcomes. The drug showed an average weight reduction of 17% when complemented by diet and exercise, compared to 3% for the placebo group. Novo Nordisk’s competitive pricing is part of its strategy to secure significant market share in this expanding therapeutic category.
Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ZETA)
Zeta Global’s stock price surged 8.84%, closing at $21.67 with intraday trading between $20.29 and $21.88. Its 52-week range sits between $10.69 and $26.60. The stock further climbed by 10.56% to $23.96 during after-hours trading. Notably, this momentum occurred without any specific company announcements, suggesting that the surge is largely driven by investor speculation and enthusiasm around Zeta’s AI-powered marketing platform amid a growing emphasis on technology solutions in marketing.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM)
Exxon Mobil shares gained 2.21%, concluding at $125.36. The stock saw an intraday peak at $125.93 and a low of $122.39, with its 52-week trading range between $97.80 and $125.93. The political shifts in Venezuela present new opportunities for Exxon Mobil. While Chevron may see direct operational benefits, Exxon’s potential advantage lies in legal recovery efforts and strategic positioning within the broader oil market.
Sector Performance and Valuation Insights
Within the oil sector, Chevron’s shares stand out, positioned in the 81st percentile for value according to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. This places Chevron favorably relative to peers including Exxon Mobil, highlighting investor preference for its valuation amid recent events.
These portfolio movements underscore the influence of geopolitical developments on energy stocks, combined with innovation and product performance in technology and healthcare sectors driving investor interest. Monitoring such diverse factors offers a comprehensive perspective on current market tendencies.