Tonight’s Highlights | U.S. Stock Futures Mixed, Tech Giants and Energy Stocks Gain Strength

On Monday, January 5, 2026, U.S. stock index futures were mixed pre-market.  

 

As of press time, Dow Jones futures fell 0.09%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.62%.  

 

Over the weekend, the U.S. launched a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, deploying troops to take control of President Maduro and his wife before deporting them. Oil prices showed little reaction intraday, as investors bet the escalation won’t lead to broader geopolitical conflict.  

 

Reports say the White House has urged major oil companies to invest heavily in Venezuela to repair its oil extraction infrastructure. Energy stocks surged pre-market: Schlumberger up over 8%, ConocoPhillips +over 5%, Chevron +over 6%, ExxonMobil +over 3%.  

 

Evercore ISI policy analyst Matthew Aks wrote: “This is a significant geopolitical event, but unlikely to have a major short-term market impact. Investors are left dealing with Trump’s deliberately vague signals on next steps.”

 

Defense stocks also rose pre-market: Lockheed Martin +over 1%, General Dynamics and Boeing slight gains. Traders hedged with gold (spot +over 1.7%) and Bitcoin (+nearly 2.4%).  

 

Saxo Bank chief investment strategist Charu Chanana said in an interview: “AI is still the dominant market driver by far. Optimism around tech is overriding everything else right now.”  

 

As of press time, Nvidia and Tesla +nearly 1.5% pre-market, Micron +over 3%, Intel +over 4%. Last week, Samsung Electronics co-CEO Jun Young-hyun’s upbeat New Year remarks sparked fresh AI optimism.

 

European markets mostly higher: Germany’s DAX +0.73%, UK’s FTSE 100 +0.28%, France’s CAC 40 −0.06%.

Company News  

Trump administration urges U.S. oil firms to invest in Venezuela  

 

Politico reported January 3 that the White House has asked major U.S. oil companies to pour money into Venezuela to restore its battered oil infrastructure. Officials told executives in recent weeks that compensation for seized rigs, pipelines, and other assets requires returning now and investing big to revive the industry.

 

Samsung: Plans 800 million Gemini-equipped mobile devices this year  

 

Samsung Electronics aims to double the number of AI-featured mobile devices with Google Gemini systems to 800 million in 2026, boosting smartphone share and helping Google stay ahead in the global AI race.

 

TSMC 2nm initial monthly capacity ~35,000 wafers, expected 140,000 by end-2026  

 

TSMC’s 2nm (N2) process starts with ~35,000 wafers/month, rising to 140,000/month by year-end—above prior 100,000 estimates. Current capacity from Hsinchu Fab 20 Phase 1 and Kaohsiung Fab 22 Phase 1; Phase 2 for both fabs online this year, also 2nm.

 

Tesla Shanghai Megafactory delivered over half of global volume in 2025  

 

Per CAAM data, Tesla Shanghai delivered over 97,100 vehicles in December 2025 (+11% MoM, yearly high). Estimated China sales ~94,000 (+13% YoY). Global 2025 deliveries ~1.636 million, with Shanghai at 851,000 (52% of total), still Tesla’s largest export hub.

 

Merck’s innovative drug Xinruilai® (sotatercept injection) approved in China  

 

Merck announced January 5 that Xinruilai® (sotatercept injection), the world’s first and only breakthrough activin signaling inhibitor (ASI), was approved by China’s NMPA for adult pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1) FC II-III to improve exercise capacity and WHO FC. Approval based on Phase III STELLAR trial data.

 

Novo Nordisk: Wegovy® oral tablets now widely available in U.S.  

 

Novo Nordisk said Wegovy® oral, the first and only oral GLP-1 for adult weight management, is now widely available via 70,000+ U.S. pharmacies (CVS, Costco), telehealth (Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers), NovoCare Pharmacy, GoodRx, and others.

 

MicroStrategy adds 1,287 Bitcoin, boosts USD reserves by $62 million  

 

MicroStrategy disclosed adding 1,287 Bitcoin, bringing holdings to 673,783 BTC, while increasing USD reserves by $62 million to $2.25 billion.

 

TrendForce: All memory product prices to rise across the board in Q1 2026  

 

TrendForce says Q1 2026 DRAM contract prices +55-60% QoQ as fabs shift advanced processes/new capacity to server/HBM for AI, squeezing other supply. NAND Flash +33-38% on fab controls and server pull crowding others.