Markets rally to highs, post-Maduro capture

Monday markets in North America surged after Trump ordered the invasion of Venezuela and capture of Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. Though of dubious legality, Maduro’s capture signalled to markets that the U.S. oil industry would thrive, while some fretted over Canadian energy. By Monday’s close, the S&P was up 0.64%, the Nasdaq 0.09% while the Dow rallied 1.23% to a record close of 48,977. In Canada, the TSX gained 1.06% to its own record close of 32,219.

U.S. oil benefited the most from the news. Chevron jumped 5.1%, Valero 9.23% and SLB 8.96%. Meanwhile, Jabil sank 7.05% and Versant Media Group, a new Comcast spin-off tanked, 13.03% on its debut. It was a different story on Bay Street as steep losses in energy led the laggards, while outsized gains in materials as well real estate and financials outweighed the four weak sectors. Major movers: Energy Fuels 10.81%, CNQ -6.03%, Cenovus -4.82% and Baytex -2.42%, though Lithium Americas soared 9.77%.

Silver rallied by nearly 5% to US$76.30 while gold added US$110 to US$4,443. WTI crude rose 1.9% to US$58.40. The buying spread to Bitcoin which increased 3.15% to US$94,120. The U.S. 10-year yield hovered around 4.145%.

🛢 Chevron Texaco (CVX-N) +5.1%

🛢 Valero Energy Corp (VLO-N) +9.23%

🛢 Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB-N) +8.96%

🧬 Jabil Circuit (JBL-N) -7.05%

📡 Versant Media Group, Inc. (VSNT-Q) -13.03%

🛢 Energy Fuels Inc. (EFR-T) +10.81%

🛢 Canadian Natural Rsrcs (CNQ-T) -6.03%

🛢 Cenovus Energy (CVE-T) -4.82%

🛢 Baytex Energy Corp (BTE-T) -2.42%

🥈 Lithium Americas Corp (LAC-T) +9.77%

🅱 Bitcoin (BTCUSD) (CRYPTO:BTC) +3.15%