Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Wednesday, December 17, 2025: Inflation in the UK, Eurozone, and Russia, EIA Oil Inventory Data in the US, and Earnings Reports from Major Public Companies.
Inflation in the UK: Ahead of the Bank of England Decision
At 10:00 AM (MSK), inflation data for the UK for November will be released. The annual Consumer Price Index is expected to remain around 3-4% YoY, possibly accelerating slightly from the October figure (~3.6% YoY). Inflation in the UK has significantly decreased from the double-digit peaks earlier in the year but still exceeds the Bank of England's target rate (2%). The muted price dynamics heighten expectations that the Bank of England may opt for its first base rate cut in the past couple of years on December 18. A strong slowdown in CPI will increase the likelihood of a monetary policy easing, while an unexpectedly high inflation surge will prompt the regulator to exercise caution. The market will closely monitor the morning release, as it will set the tone for movements in the British pound and UK stocks.
Inflation in the Eurozone: Close to Target Level
The European Union's statistical office will publish the final CPI index for November at 1:00 PM (MSK). Preliminary estimates suggest that annual inflation in the Eurozone was around 2.2%, slightly increasing from 2.1% in October. This level is nearly in line with the European Central Bank's target of 2%, indicating successful moderation in price growth compared to prior years. Core inflation remains slightly above the overall figure (approximately 2.4% YoY) but is also showing a downward trend. Confirmation of moderate inflation will bolster confidence that the ECB, after a series of interest rate hikes, may take a pause in its current policy. Overall, stable price indicators in Europe alleviate pressure on the regulator and support expectations of a gradual return of inflation to the target benchmark, which is positive for European markets.
US Oil Inventories (EIA Report): Impact on Commodity Market
At 6:30 PM (MSK), the EIA's weekly report on US commercial oil inventories will be released. The previous week saw a drop in inventories of approximately 1.8 million barrels (following a slight increase the week before), reflecting steady fuel demand. New figures will indicate whether this trend persists: analysts do not rule out further inventory declines in the range of 1-2 million barrels, though an unexpected increase due to seasonal factors is also possible. For the oil market, this is a key indicator of supply and demand balance. If the report indicates a significant reduction in inventories, oil prices may receive support. Conversely, an increase in reserves will exert pressure on prices, especially considering the recent market weakness – the WTI dropped to $56 per barrel, reaching its lowest levels in recent months due to concerns about oversupply in early 2026. Investors in the oil and gas sector will carefully analyze the EIA publication, as it is capable of causing notable price fluctuations in oil and share prices of commodity companies.
Inflation in Russia: Slowdown Ahead of the Central Bank of Russia Decision
At 7:00 PM (MSK), fresh consumer inflation data in Russia will be released. For November, annual price growth in Russia has noticeably slowed down – official inflation has decreased to about 6.6% YoY (down from 7.7% in October), reaching a two-year low. This slowdown was even stronger than analysts' expectations and signifies a weakening of price pressures due to tight monetary policy and the strengthening of the ruble in the autumn. Weekly indicators for the first weeks of December also point to the continuation of this trend (for instance, at the end of November, the weekly price growth decreased to a mere 0.04%). Such dynamics instill optimism that the Bank of Russia at its upcoming Board of Directors meeting on December 19 may initiate a cycle of key rate cuts. Currently, the rate stands at 16.5% per annum, with the market's base forecast pointing to a decrease of 0.5 percentage points (to 16.0%). However, much depends on the current inflation data: if an unexpected spike in early December prices is recorded in the new report, the central bank may prefer to wait. Investors will carefully assess the published figures, as they directly influence the rhetoric and decisions of the regulator, subsequently impacting the bond market and banking sector.
Corporate Reports in the US: Focus on Tech Sector and Consumer Market
The US stock market is set to receive a batch of corporate news – several companies from the S&P 500 index will release their earnings reports, setting the tone for their respective sectors. Some reports will be available before US trading opens (around 2:00 PM MSK), while others will follow after the market closes later in the evening.
- Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU): one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers will report for Q1 of the 2026 fiscal year (the release is expected after the market closes). Analysts predict a sharp increase in results due to heightened demand for memory chips for artificial intelligence: consensus estimates indicate Micron’s earnings could reach ~$3.8 per share (compared to $1.8 a year earlier), with a strong revenue uptick. Investors will pay special attention to management's forecasts regarding the memory market and chip prices – an optimistic outlook could boost not only Micron's shares but the entire tech sector.
- General Mills (NYSE: GIS): a food company in the consumer goods sector will present results for Q2 of the 2026 fiscal year (before market opening). A deterioration in performance is expected compared to last year's high base period: the consensus forecast suggests an approximately 8-9% decline in revenue year-on-year and a drop in adjusted earnings per share of about 25-30%. Sales pressure on General Mills is attributed to increased competition and the normalization of demand after the pandemic spike, as well as unfavorable currency exchange rates. Investors will be looking for signs of margin stabilization and the effectiveness of cost-cutting measures in the report.
- Jabil Inc. (NYSE: JBL): a major contract manufacturing company (EMS contractor) will publish financial results for Q1 of 2026. Jabil is part of the S&P 500 and services technology giants, making its metrics a barometer of industrial demand. The market expects stable results amid rising orders in the electronics and electric vehicle sectors. Management's comments on supply chain conditions and demand from major clients (for instance, from the cloud technology and automotive segments) will be crucial for assessing the prospects of the industrial sector.
- The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC): a manufacturer of lawn care equipment and irrigation systems will report for Q4 of the 2025 fiscal year. While Toro is less known to the general public, its results are of interest concerning the state of the building materials and infrastructure market in the US. Analysts expect moderate revenue growth due to consistently high demand from municipalities and sports venues, but investors will be particularly interested in the management forecasts for the next year. Any signs of a slowdown in demand for Toro's products could reflect on assessments of companies in the industrial sector.
- Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF): a financial firm (investment bank and brokerage) will publish operational metrics for November. The report will disclose data on commission income, client asset volumes, and other key metrics. These figures will provide insight into how recent stock market fluctuations have impacted clients' investment activities. Strong performance from Raymond James could indicate a favorable environment for brokerage houses and Wall Street banks at the year's end, whereas weak results would suggest investor caution and reduced trading activity.
Europe and Asia: A Pause in the Earnings Season
In the European and Asian markets, no significant quarterly earnings reports from major companies are expected on December 17. The earnings season for key regional indices, such as Euro Stoxx 50 and Nikkei 225, has already concluded, so no corporate surprises are anticipated for the day. In the absence of fresh reports, investors in these markets will primarily focus on external factors – macroeconomic statistics and news backdrop. Some individual companies may hold investor days or publish operational metrics on this day, but the impact of such events will be limited to localized effects. Overall, this Wednesday will proceed relatively calmly on the corporate front for Europe and Asia, and market participants' attention will shift toward global trends and inflation data.
Corporate Events in Russia
The Russian corporate calendar for December 17 also lacks the publication of financial reports from leading issuers – the quarterly report season has already ended. No major company in the Moscow Exchange index will report on this day. However, there is one event of interest to shareholders: "Renaissance Insurance" will conduct a dividend cutoff. December 17 is the last day to be included in the register of shareholders eligible for dividends for the first nine months of 2025. This means that investors holding shares of the company until the end of Wednesday's trading will be eligible for the declared dividend payments. Such corporate events typically have little impact on the broader market, but they are significant for holders of particular securities. Meanwhile, the news backdrop of the Russian market will be shaped by macroeconomic data on inflation and external factors.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Morning CPI Data in the UK (10:00 AM MSK) and Eurozone (1:00 PM MSK) will set the tone for European markets and impact expectations for decisions by the Bank of England and ECB regarding interest rates.
- EIA Oil Report (6:30 PM MSK) will be a key evening event for commodity markets: inventory dynamics in the US will directly affect oil prices and shares of oil and gas companies.
- Corporate Reports in the US (throughout the day) may trigger movements in certain sectors: strong results from tech companies (e.g., Micron) may support the Nasdaq, while weak reports from the consumer or financial sectors may negatively impact the broader market.
Investors are advised to closely monitor the release of this data and reports throughout the day. Unexpected deviations from forecasts can amplify market volatility, but at the same time, create opportunities for adjusting investment strategies ahead of the upcoming New Year.
