The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained ground on Monday, heading into the Christmas holiday schedule on the front foot as equity markets tilt into the bullish side to wrap up the trading year.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil edges higher on Monday as escalating tensions between the United States (US) and Venezuela add a modest geopolitical risk premium to Oil markets.

Rolling back fuel efficiency standards may lower short-term costs, but it increases long-term risks for U.S. automakers by adding regulatory uncertainty, weakening global competitiveness, and slowing the EV transition.