The acquisition, set to finalize in early 2026 pending approvals, will merge European and American production powerhouses into an entity overseeing nearly 100 companies across 15 countries.
Following the UK Prime Minister's visit to Beijing, China has agreed to slash tariffs on UK-produced whiskies from 10% to 5%, a move welcomed by the industry as a potential catalyst for growth in a key premium market.
A landmark trade agreement secured during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing will see Chinese import duties on Scotch whisky cut from 10% to 5%, effective immediately. The move, hailed by industry leaders, is projected to inject £250 million into the UK economy and boost competitiveness in a key growth market.
Meritage Homes concluded a challenging 2025, citing affordability pressures and waning buyer confidence. While maintaining a cautious stance on incentives, the homebuilder is expanding its community footprint and boosting shareholder returns, betting on long-term demographic demand.
Lockheed Martin capped a year of robust sales growth with a historic $194 billion order backlog, driven by soaring demand for its advanced defense systems. The aerospace giant announced plans for a significant 'step function' increase in capital investment for 2026 to ramp up production of missiles and next-generation capabilities.
