Overview
- Germany's DAX topped its October peak, reaching intraday highs around 24,800 as investors extended the new-year rally.
- Shares of defense firms led gains, with Rheinmetall up about 7% and Hensoldt and Renk jumping roughly 6% to 8%, boosting the broader index.
- Oil prices edged lower and OPEC+ kept output plans unchanged, with analysts citing Venezuela’s sub‑1 million barrels per day production as limiting global supply risk.
- U.S. special forces detained Nicolás Maduro, who is expected to appear in a Manhattan federal court on drug‑terrorism conspiracy charges, while the UN Security Council is set to discuss the U.S. action.
- President Donald Trump signaled plans to revive Venezuelan oil production via major U.S. companies, a prospect some see as increasing future supply if implemented.