Market Overview - Asian shares and US futures advanced, with notable gains in South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng, reflecting positive investor sentiment [1][2] - Wall Street experienced broad gains, particularly in energy and banking sectors, with the S&P 500 rising 0.6% to 6,902.05 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average setting a record at 48,977.18 [3][6] Energy Sector - The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces led to increased focus on energy companies, with US crude prices initially rising 1.7% to $58.32 per barrel before falling back [5][6] - Major energy companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Halliburton saw significant stock price increases, with Chevron jumping 5.1% and Halliburton surging 7.8% [6] Technology Sector - Technology companies, particularly in artificial intelligence, were highlighted during the CES trade show, with Applied Materials rising 5.7% while Nvidia fell 0.4% [9][10] - AI advancements have contributed to market records, with ongoing updates from tech companies expected to clarify the financial implications of AI investments [10] Commodities - Gold prices increased by 0.6% following a 2.8% jump, while silver added 2.7% after a 7.9% rise, indicating a trend towards safe-haven assets amid geopolitical tensions [11] - Bitcoin experienced a decline of 1.5%, falling to $93,700 after reaching its highest level since mid-November [12]

Market Performance - Asian shares experienced strong gains, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 closing at a record high of 52,518.08, up 1.3% [2] - South Korea's Kospi rose 1.5% to 4,525.98, driven by gains in automakers and electronics manufacturers [2] - Hong Kong's Hang Seng increased by 1.5% to 26,748.80, while the Shanghai Composite index also rose 1.5% to 4,082.36, marking its highest level in four years [3] - The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, just below its record set in late December, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average set a new record, increasing by 1.2% to 48,977.18 [4] Energy Sector - Oil prices initially surged following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with U.S. crude rising 1.7% to $58.32 per barrel and Brent crude also up 1.7% to $61.76 per barrel [5] - However, oil prices fell back early Tuesday, with U.S. crude dropping to $58.14 per barrel and Brent crude to $61.64 per barrel [5] - Energy companies saw significant gains, with Chevron up 5.1%, Exxon Mobil rising 2.2%, and Halliburton surging 7.8% after discussions about U.S. oil companies aiding in the rebuilding of Venezuela's oil industry [6] Economic Indicators - The Institute for Supply Management reported a continued contraction in the manufacturing sector for December, with a focus on the upcoming services sector report [7] - Job market reports later in the week will be crucial for the Federal Reserve, which is balancing a slowing job market against rising inflation risks [8][9] Technology Sector - Technology companies, particularly in artificial intelligence, were highlighted during the CES trade show, with Nvidia falling 0.4% and Applied Materials rising 5.7% [10] - The advancements in AI have contributed to a series of market records in 2025, with updates from major tech firms expected to clarify the financial implications of AI investments [10] Currency and Commodities - The U.S. dollar weakened against the Japanese yen, slipping to 156.28 from 156.40, while the euro rose to $1.1739 from $1.1724 [11] - Gold prices increased by 0.5% after a significant jump of 2.8% on Monday, and silver added 2.9% following a 7.9% rise [11] - Bitcoin fell 1.3% to approximately $93,700 after reaching its highest level since mid-November [12]