Detailed Overview of Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Tuesday, August 19, 2025: Inflation in Canada, US Housing Market, Eurozone Statistics, API Oil Data, and Results from Home Depot, BHP, and MTS. Analysis of Market Impact for Investors.
On Tuesday, August 19, investors' attention is focused on a series of diverse signals from the economy and the corporate sector. The macroeconomic agenda includes fresh inflation data from Canada, housing construction statistics from the US, and the Eurozone current account figures. Simultaneously, the corporate earnings season continues, with major companies from the US, Asia, and Australia, including retail giant Home Depot and mining leader BHP, set to report their results. These events could influence the dynamics of key stock indices—S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Moscow Exchange—setting the direction for market sentiment in the middle of the week.
Eurozone: Current Account
In the morning, the focus of European markets will be on the Eurozone's balance of payments. At 11:00 Moscow time, the European Central Bank will release data on the current account for June. A surplus is expected, indicating that export receipts prevail over import expenses. A sustained positive balance supports the Euro's exchange rate and instills confidence in the region's export-oriented companies. However, a significant deviation from the forecast could temporarily affect the dynamics of the Euro Stoxx 50, particularly the shares of European firms geared towards external markets.
USA: State of the Housing Market
In the afternoon, a key indicator of the American construction sector will be released. At 15:30 Moscow time, the US Department of Commerce will publish data on new residential construction starts for July. This figure reflects the activity in housing construction and indirectly indicates builders' confidence in the economic situation. An increase in new construction starts suggests ongoing demand for housing, even amid higher mortgage rates, while a decrease could signal a cooling in the real estate market. Statistics on housing starts could influence the stock prices of developers and construction companies within the S&P 500 index and provide investors with insights into the state of consumer demand and credit conditions in the US.
Canada: Inflation Indicators
At the same time, at 15:30 Moscow time, the consumer price index (CPI) report for Canada for July will be published. Inflation in Canada is an important benchmark for the Bank of Canada and currency markets. If the growth rate of CPI accelerates, it will heighten expectations for further tightening of monetary policy, potentially strengthening the Canadian dollar. Conversely, a slowdown in inflation would ease pressure on the regulator, supporting sentiments in the stock market and signaling price stabilization. Investors worldwide are monitoring inflation trends even in regional economies, as data from Canada could influence risk appetite, particularly in commodity and currency segments, given the country’s role as a major exporter of energy resources.
Oil Market: API Inventory Data
Later in the evening, participants in the commodity market will focus on weekly oil statistics. At 23:30 Moscow time, the American Petroleum Institute (API) will release its preliminary report on oil and petroleum product inventories in the US for the past week. This unofficial indicator often sets the tone for oil prices ahead of the official data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released on Wednesday. A significant decline in inventories could push Brent and WTI oil prices higher, indicating strong demand or limited supply, while an unexpected increase in inventories might exert downward pressure on prices. Oil price fluctuations reflect on the stocks of energy companies worldwide and are particularly sensitive for the Russian market (the Moscow Exchange index is rich in oil and gas issuers). Moreover, changes in oil prices affect the currencies of commodity-exporting countries, including the Canadian dollar and Russian ruble.
American Corporations: Home Depot and Others
The publication of financial results from the largest US companies for the second quarter continues. On Tuesday, several prominent corporations from various sectors will report, providing a broad overview of economic trends:
- Before Market Open (US): Home Depot, Medtronic, and Xpeng will report. Retail giant Home Depot will announce its second-quarter results, reflecting consumer demand for home goods and repairs amid high interest rates. Results from this company, which is part of the Dow Jones and S&P 500 indices, will indicate whether consumers maintain their willingness to invest in housing. Medtech corporation Medtronic (formally based in Ireland but traded on the US market) will present its quarterly financials—investors will assess sales dynamics in medical equipment and products, serving as an indicator of stable demand in the healthcare sector. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng will also publish second-quarter results, clarifying the situation with EV sales in the largest EV market—China, and may influence sentiments in the global electric vehicle sector.
- After Market Close (US): Attention will shift to reports from Keysight Technologies and Toll Brothers. Keysight, a leading manufacturer of measurement equipment for the electronics and telecom industry, will share results reflecting demand conditions from the technology sector. Management forecasts from Keysight regarding orders may affect the assessment of prospects in the high-tech sector. Concurrently, one of the largest US developers, Toll Brothers, will present its financial report for the past quarter. The metrics from this premium homebuilder (along with fresh statistics on housing starts) will provide insights into trends in the US real estate market. Investors will compare the results of Toll Brothers with broader construction data to understand how rising rates and housing prices impact profitability and sales volumes in the sector.
Asia-Pacific Region: BHP Results
Outside the US, important corporate announcements are expected in the Asia-Pacific region on Tuesday. The annual report of mining giant BHP Group, one of the largest commodity companies in the world, will be in the spotlight. BHP will present its financial results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Investors will assess how profitable iron ore, copper, and other resource extraction remain amid fluctuating demand from China—the key consumer of raw materials. Special interest will be directed towards BHP's management commentary on demand prospects in China and dividend payout plans, as commodity companies often allocate a significant portion of profits to shareholders. BHP's reporting may influence the dynamics of mining sector stocks in Australia, Asia, and Europe, as well as overall market sentiment in the region. The Nikkei 225 index and other Asian indicators will consider signals from commodity markets and China's economy, reacting to possible surprises in BHP’s reporting or fluctuations in resource prices.
Russian Market: MTS Results
On the Russian market, several corporate reports are also scheduled for publication on August 19. The largest telecom operator MTS will reveal its IFRS results for the first half of 2025. Stable revenue and profits are expected, bolstered by high demand for communications and digital services. MTS's financial performance serves as a barometer for the entire telecommunications sector in Russia and may influence the dynamics of the company's and its competitors' stocks on the Moscow Exchange. Additionally, MTS's subsidiary, MTS Bank, will present its six-month report, providing further insight into trends in the banking segment (lending, asset quality). While these publications primarily interest local investors, the overall picture of corporate results in Russia affects market participant confidence and forms a foundation for the Moscow Exchange index’s movements. Furthermore, the Russian stock benchmark will also be influenced by external conditions—particularly the dynamics of oil prices and the general risk appetite of global investors.
What Investors Should Pay Attention to
The list of events scheduled for August 19 makes this day quite busy for financial markets. None of today's releases alone is a dominant global trigger; however, together, the macrostatistics and corporate reports may set the tone for the trading session. Investors are advised to pay special attention to inflation and housing market data—these indicators reflect the state of the economy and could influence expectations regarding interest rates. It is equally important to monitor management commentary from companies: forecasts from Home Depot regarding consumer demand or BHP's assessments of the Chinese economy will help determine whether growth momentum is sustained in key segments. It is also advisable to consider oil price dynamics post-API report, as commodity factors directly impact many assets. In an environment of mixed information, investors should proceed cautiously, evaluating how new data aligns with forecasts and whether it alters the overall balance of risks and opportunities in the markets.
