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Recent UK trade agreements with the US and South Korea face questions over their stability and legal footing. The US-UK pharmaceutical deal lacks a formal legal text, raising concerns about commitments and future reliability. Meanwhile, the UK’s trade deal with South Korea secures vital exports and expands market access, but questions remain about long-term impacts.
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Major whisky producers in the US and UK are halting or reducing production in 2026 due to declining demand, trade tensions, and tariffs. Diageo and Jim Beam are among companies scaling back operations, citing market uncertainty and changing consumer habits as key factors.
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As of mid-January 2026, the FTSE 100 has surpassed 10,000 for the first time, capping a 21.5% gain in 2025 driven by mining, defence, and financial sectors. This milestone coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has spurred investor interest in Venezuelan debt and defence stocks, while oil prices face downward pressure.
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UK stock markets gained today, with the FTSE 100 up 1%, driven by AI sector optimism and strong earnings reports from companies like HSBC and Hiscox. Meanwhile, some firms like Diageo and Aston Martin faced declines due to profit warnings and workforce cuts. Global markets also edged higher.