Morning Business Report: Chevron holds edge in Venezuela as Dow hits record high

Analysts say Chevron currently holds a strategic advantage as the only major U.S. oil company still operating in Venezuela.

(LILAMAX)- Global markets are weighing major developments in energy, travel, and consumer sectors as investors digest political uncertainty abroad and strong gains on Wall Street.

Analysts say Chevron currently holds a strategic advantage as the only major U.S. oil company still operating in Venezuela. However, experts warn that restoring Venezuela’s oil industry to its peak production of roughly 3.5 million barrels per day — levels last seen in the 1990s — would require years of costly investment.

Wall Street analysts say U.S. oil majors are unlikely to commit fully until there is greater clarity and stability around who is governing in Caracas. At the moment, they say, the political situation remains highly uncertain.

In a separate development, the Department of Homeland Security publicly criticized Hilton Hotels after a reservation for DHS agents was canceled at a Minneapolis location. DHS claimed the cancellation was tied to the agents’ work on immigration enforcement. Following the criticism, Hilton shares dipped by about 2 percent.

On Wall Street, stocks surged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped roughly 600 points, topping 49,000 for the first time ever. Energy stocks led the gains amid renewed focus on global oil markets.

In the auto sector, General Motors reported a 5.5 percent increase in U.S. vehicle sales for 2025, despite a 6.9 percent drop in the fourth quarter. The Detroit automaker maintained its position as the nation’s largest vehicle seller. Stellantis reported its U.S. sales fell 3.3 percent, though its Jeep brand posted its first annual gain since 2018.

Meanwhile, new coins are entering circulation this week to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The quarters feature imagery honoring early American history, including Pilgrims and Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Additional designs include themes from the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.