Jim Beam to pause production at Kentucky distillery for 2026. The...
Jim Beam to pause production at Kentucky distillery for 2026. The bourbon-maker said it would halt production at its main facility in Clermont, KY, for at least a year as of Jan. 1. It’s opting for a dry January (and rest of the year) at the distillery as bourbon supplies have increased despite US adults slowing their drinking, and as retaliation against President Trump’s tariffs has injected uncertainty into sales abroad. Distillers must calculate how much bourbon to make since it has to age in barrels for years before being bottled and sold—and the state of Kentucky charges taxes on those barrels. Suntory-owned Jim Beamsaid it would use the time to make improvements at the distillery. The company said the plant’s workers would be reassigned.
President Trump announced that the Navy plans to build new battleships known as “Trump-class,” saying it will be “the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.” The ships are part of the “Golden Fleet” the Navy is working to assemble.
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland responded, “You cannot annex another country,” after President Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, who said he would make the semiautonomous territory “part of the US.”
Instacart has stopped its controversial test of an AI tool that gave shoppers different prices for the same items at a store, following backlash from customers.
Google parent Alphabet has struck a deal to buy data center and energy infrastructure company Intersect for $4.75 billion as tech companies seek out power for AI.
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to move to a $3 billion domed stadium across the Kansas-Missouri state line as of the 2031 season.
Note: The January Contract has expired, and the February Contract is now prompt. Today, the February Contract price increased by $1.49. Prompt month-to-month increased by $1.35.
U.S. stocks close higher as hopes for a 'Santa Claus rally' build
U.S. stocks rose on Monday to start a holiday-shortened...
U.S. stocks rose on Monday to start a holiday-shortened week, with artificial intelligence stocks leading the advance as optimism returned to the tech sector following positive news on key AI companies.
S&P 500: gained 0.6%, posting its third positive day in a row.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: advanced 228 points, or 0.5%.
Nasdaq Composite: climbed 0.5%.
Market Drivers: Key stocks linked to artificial intelligence boosted the broader market. NVIDIA shares rose more than 1% after Reuters reported that the company is planning to begin shipping its H200 chips to China by mid-February.
The AI trade continued its rebound from last week's volatility, with investor confidence improving on expectations that chip demand remains robust and regulatory hurdles may ease.
Sector Performance: The energy sector led the market, supported by rising oil prices amid escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela. Consumer discretionary and materials stocks also posted gains, alongside technology shares, particularly AI-related names. Utilities, by contrast, were the worst-performing sector.
Harbour Energy to Enter US Gulf with $3.2B LLOG Deal
London-based Harbour Energy plans...
London-based Harbour Energy plans to acquire LLOG Exploration Co. from LLOG Holdings in a transaction valued at $3.2 billion in cash and stock, according to a Dec. 22 press release.
The deal marks Harbour’s entry into the U.S. Gulf of America and adds a new core business unit alongside its existing operations in Norway, the U.K., Argentina and Mexico.
The acquisition brings a portfolio of conventional offshore oil assets operated by LLOG, including the Who Dat Field in Mississippi Canyon and the Buckskin and Leon-Castile fields in Keathley Canyon.
The privately held E&P said the GoA’s established infrastructure, supplier base and regulatory framework are benefits of the deal.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is steering the Energy Department through...
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is steering the Energy Department through a sweeping overhaul that has so far included internal office reshuffles, workforce cuts, the cancellation of more than $11 billion in grants and a renewed emphasis on fossil fuels, nuclear energy and supplying electricity for AI data centers. The changes have energized industry allies while drawing sharp criticism from climate advocates and leaving open questions about their durability, the future of clean energy programs and DOE's operational capacity. Some actions could be reversed by a future administration, though funding clawbacks and grid expansion efforts could prove longer-lasting.