With investors hoarding tech shares and dismissing concerns about Venezuela, Asian stocks recently reached all-time highs. The MSCI Asia index jumped 1.7%—that’s one of the best openings to a year since 2012. Chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and TSMC led the charge, soaring higher. Emerging market stocks broke records, too, and futures for US and European markets pointed up. Even Bitcoin joined the rally, up 1.5% and crossing $92,600.
Venezuela Tensions Lift Metals, Not Market Fear
Conversely, the political unrest in Venezuela had a significant impact on metals. Silver surged nearly 5%, and gold shot up nearly 2% to over $4,400 per ounce. The jump came after the US moved to oust Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, over the weekend. Copper also rallied, fueled by talk of tighter supply. Oil prices, though, barely budged. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped just 0.3% to $57.12 a barrel since Venezuela’s main oil ports and refineries kept running without a hitch.
Traders Refocus on Rates and Economic Data
Interest rates and economic data, rather than the political realm, were at the forefront of most traders’ minds. The dollar index added 0.2%, and the 10-year US Treasury yield fell to 4.18%. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson mentioned we could still see modest rate cuts in 2026, depending on how things shake out.
Looking ahead, everyone’s waiting on US jobs numbers, inflation data, and new business surveys this week. Right now, strong faith in AI-fuelled growth keeps driving stocks higher. Investors seem pretty willing to shrug off any short-term geopolitical drama.
