Oil Price Surge Weighs on Wall Street as Dow Gains 1.2%

US equities opened the week with a 1.2% gain in the Dow, but rising oil prices are exerting downward pressure on the market. The increase in crude costs threatens to stoke inflation and dampen consumer spending, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's policy path. The net effect on risk assets remains uncertain as investors weigh energy-driven inflation against resilient corporate earnings.