Stocks rise while oil markets remain volatile as investors weigh Venezuela’s impact

Asian stocks climbed and oil prices remained volatile on Monday as investors weighed the market implications of recent developments in Venezuela, particularly the U.S. military action and capture of President Nicolás Maduro, while also gearing up for a busy week of key economic data.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia‑Pacific shares outside Japan rose about 1.2%, and U.S. futures such as the S&P 500 e‑mini were modestly higher, reflecting risk‑on sentiment in global equities. Major regional benchmarks, including Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi, also climbed as markets reacted.

Oil prices, however, showed choppy trading as traders balanced geopolitical uncertainty against structural supply realities. Brent crude edged higher but remained unstable amid ongoing reassessment of Venezuela’s limited near‑term impact on global crude output and broader supply conditions. 

Marianas Variety News & Views

Investors are analysing how recent actions in Caracas might affect energy markets and geopolitical risk, with both optimistic and cautious interpretations influencing stocks and commodity markets as the new trading year gains momentum.