Stock markets opened the week with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rising by almost 600 points. It closed at 48,977.2 and is not far from a milestone of 50,000 next. The index benefited from Chevron (CVX) rising by 5.10% to close at 7.96%. The oil and gas integrated firm potentially benefits after the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
The government might help pave the way for Chevron to increase its investments in Venezuela. Before the dramatic turn of events in the country, CVX stock trended lower. But by mid-December 2025, CVX stock found support near $145. It closed at $163.75 on Monday.
Readers may watch Exxon (XOM), Halliburton (HAL), and SLB. If the rally in oil stocks holds, Chevron could send the Dow Jones higher.
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) continued to defy bears on Monday. The cryptocurrency closed at $94,145. While that lifted Coinbase (COIN), its strength raised awareness of financial institutions listed on the Dow Jones. Goldman Sachs (GS) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) are the leading bank firms that investors should consider.
American Express (AXP) and Visa (V) are also good firms to consider holding. As their share price potentially rebounds to start 2026, it would lift the Dow toward the 50,000 level.
