Spirits Exports

Business

Honda's December Production Rebounds 4% Globally, But Annual Output Slips Amid Regional Shifts

Honda Motor posted a 4.3% year-on-year increase in global vehicle production for December 2025, recovering from a steep November slump. However, the automaker's full-year 2025 output fell nearly 9%, highlighting uneven regional performance with North America rebounding sharply while Asia, particularly China, saw significant declines.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Oil Prices Tumble as Geopolitical Tensions Cool, Broader Commodities Rout Weighs

Crude oil benchmarks plunged over 7%, with Brent near $66 and WTI around $62, as President Trump's comments eased fears of a U.S.-Iran conflict and a sell-off in metals markets spilled over. Analysts suggest the drop reflects a rapid unwinding of risk premiums rather than a fundamental change in supply dynamics.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Trump's Dollar Gambit: A Calculated Weakening Strategy and Its Global Ripple Effects

President Trump's apparent endorsement of a weaker dollar is not mere rhetoric but a strategic pillar of his economic agenda, aimed at boosting US competitiveness and narrowing the trade deficit, with significant implications for global central banks and currency markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Starmer Warns Against UK Isolationism on China Amid Trump's Transatlantic Pressure

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Mexico Defies U.S. Pressure, Pledges Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Escalating Tensions

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announces plans to send food and essential supplies to Cuba, vowing to pursue diplomatic channels for fuel shipments despite recent U.S. sanctions threats.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Constellation Brands Sees Short Sellers Retreat, But Skepticism Lingers Above Peers

Short interest in beverage giant Constellation Brands has declined, signaling a potential shift in trader sentiment. However, the level remains elevated compared to industry rivals, highlighting ongoing debate over the stock's valuation amid shifting consumer trends.

Feb 2, 2026

World

EY Forecast: UK Growth to Stagnate Under Weight of Tax Rises and Global Headwinds

The UK's economic recovery faces a significant drag from recently implemented fiscal tightening, with growth forecasts remaining subdued for the coming year, according to a leading economic forecaster.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Trump's Tariff Threat on Cuba Oil Puts Mexico in Diplomatic Bind

Mexico faces a delicate balancing act as U.S. tariff threats targeting nations supplying oil to Cuba pressure a key trading partner to choose between economic interests and regional solidarity.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela Frees Over 30 Detainees Amid Amnesty Push, Rights Groups Report

Venezuela has released more than 30 individuals classified as political prisoners, according to a leading rights organization. The move follows the government's announcement of a proposed amnesty law and comes amid mounting international pressure and domestic calls for faster action.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

China's Export-Focused Factories Show Surprise Resilience as Broader Economy Cools

A private gauge of China's manufacturing activity edged higher in January, defying expectations of a slowdown, as export-oriented firms outperformed. The reading contrasts with weaker official data, highlighting a two-speed industrial sector amid persistent domestic headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Euro's Surge Casts Shadow Over ECB Policy Meeting

The European Central Bank convenes this week with a resurgent euro presenting a fresh dilemma, threatening to dampen inflation and undermine the export engine of the eurozone's largest economies just as recovery gains momentum.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Napa's Changing Landscape: Hall of Fame Coach Dick Vermeil Closes Tasting Room Amid Industry Downturn

As the U.S. wine industry grapples with a multi-year slump, iconic tasting rooms are shuttering. The latest casualty is Hall of Fame NFL coach Dick Vermeil's Napa venue, a move reflecting broader shifts in consumer habits and market pressures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gulfport Energy's Valuation Puzzle: A 77% Discount or Overheated Price?

Gulfport Energy (NYSE: GPOR) shares have surged roughly 200% over three years, yet a deep dive reveals conflicting signals. While a cash flow model suggests significant undervaluation, its price-to-sales ratio tells a more cautious tale, leaving investors to weigh the metrics against a volatile energy backdrop.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Olin's Q4 2025 Earnings Fall Short Amid Operational Woes and Market Slump; Management Outlines Cost-Cutting Path

Chemical and ammunition manufacturer Olin Corporation reported fourth-quarter results that missed internal forecasts, pressured by plant disruptions, supply issues, and a sharp year-end drop in chlorine demand. Executives emphasized cash preservation and cost control while navigating what they term an extended market downturn.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Oil Prices Retreat as Trump Tempers Iran Threats, Easing Supply Fears

Crude oil futures surrendered early gains to close lower Friday, as de-escalating rhetoric from Washington over Iran and a stronger dollar offset ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply constraints.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gen Z's Sobering Reality: Just 4% of U.S. Alcohol Sales in 2025 as Industry Grapples with Shifting Tastes

New market data reveals a stark generational divide in American drinking habits, with Gen Z contributing a mere 4% to total alcohol sales last year. The findings challenge long-held industry assumptions and highlight the enduring spending power of older consumers amid a broader shift toward premiumization and alternative beverages.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Trump Declares National Emergency Over Cuba, Threatens Tariffs on Oil Suppliers; Strikes New Trade Deal with Guatemala

The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Cuba by declaring a national emergency and threatening punitive tariffs on countries supplying it with oil, while simultaneously finalizing a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala aimed at bolstering Western Hemisphere supply chains.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Eastman Chemical Navigates Market Headwinds, Pins Hopes on Operational Shifts and Circular Economy

While outlining stabilization efforts in challenged segments like Fibers, Eastman Chemical's leadership emphasized that a sustained recovery hinges on broader end-market demand. The company is betting on strategic projects and chemical recycling to drive future growth amid persistent pricing pressures and global trade dynamics.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Global Sugar Glut Fears Deepen, Sending Prices to Multi-Year Lows

Sugar futures tumbled this week, with key benchmarks hitting multi-month and multi-year lows, as analysts project swelling global surpluses driven by robust harvests in Brazil and India.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cocoa Market Slump Deepens as Supply Glut Meets Consumer Resistance

Cocoa futures have plunged to multi-year lows, pressured by a global surplus and weakening demand as high chocolate prices curb consumption. Analysts point to favorable harvests in West Africa and falling processing volumes as key factors extending the market's month-long decline.

Jan 30, 2026