5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

Investopedia•January 5, 2026•business

Key Points:

Stock futures indicate a higher open Monday as markets aim to build on the positive start to 2026, with gains in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, while Dow futures remain steady.
U.S. oil and gas stocks, including Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil, are surging following the Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with hopes of increased American investment in Venezuela’s oil sector.
Gold and silver prices are rising sharply as investors seek safe-haven assets amid uncertainty over the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, with gold futures up over 2% and silver futures jumping 4.5%.
Tech stocks tied to artificial intelligence, such as Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, are