Fresh off their seventh straight weekly wins, all three major benchmarks kicked off the week with gains. The Dow and Nasdaq nabbed eight-straight wins today, the former with yet another record finish and the latter with a hefty gain. The S&P 500 continued its rally as well, marking its seventh day in the black in the last eight sessions. Meanwhile, The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) monthly confidence index rose for the first time in five months after mortgage rates fell.

OIL, GOLD ON THE RISE

Oil prices rose as attacks on shipping in the Red Sea raised supply concerns. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for January delivery rose $1.04, or 1.5%, to settle at $72.47 a barrel. 

Gold prices rose today amid weakness in bond yields. February-dated gold futures are up $5.00, or 0.3%, at 2,040.70 per ounce at last look.  

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