Asia-Pacific markets kicked off the first full trading week of 2026 on a positive note, following the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. This geopolitical development raised concerns, prompting some movement in oil prices, which edged lower as investors considered the implications of rising tensions.
U.S. authorities confirmed that both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to New York City after the operation. They have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy and other offenses. According to an indictment, drug trafficking has significantly benefited Venezuela’s political and military elite.
Consequently, oil prices experienced a slight decline due to the unrest in the oil-rich nation. Brent crude prices initially fell more than 1% but later recovered to a 0.25% decrease, while West Texas Intermediate crude dropped by 0.4%. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, totaling 303 billion barrels, about 17% of the global total, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Additionally, spot gold prices increased over 1% to reach $4,383.99.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index surged by 2.26% in its first trading session of the year, and the Topix index rose by 1.42%, both achieving record highs. Defense stocks led the market gains, with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries registering increases of 5.7% and 6.4%, respectively.
In South Korea, the Kospi index climbed 2.19% to a record high of 4,420.92, while the smaller Kosdaq added 0.2%. Shares of defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace rose as much as 4%, and Poongsan gained 3%. Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX/S&P 200 index was relatively flat.
In Hong Kong, futures for the Hang Seng Index indicated a higher opening, trading at 26,442 compared to the previous close of 26,338.47.
U.S. equity futures remained stable during the early Asian trading hours. On Friday, the first trading day of the new year, the S&P 500 ended slightly higher, buoyed by gains in semiconductor stocks. The benchmark index closed up 0.19% at 6,858.47, whereas the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.03% to settle at 23,235.63, despite earlier peaks showing increases of 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 319.10 points, or 0.66%, closing at 48,382.39.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/asia-pacific-markets-brent-crude-wti-oil-venezuela-maduro-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-oil.html
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Publish Date: 2026-01-05 05:37:00
