Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of January 26 to February 1, 2026: U.S. Federal Reserve Meeting, Eurozone GDP, China PMI, and Reports from Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, ExxonMobil, and Other Major Corporations. An Analytical Overview for Investors.
The upcoming week presents investors with a busy calendar of macroeconomic events and corporate earnings reports worldwide. The spotlight is on the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting, a variety of important economic indicators (GDP, PMI, inflation) across different regions, as well as the peak of the quarterly earnings season for leading companies within the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and Moscow Exchange indices. Special attention is drawn to the potential U.S. government shutdown at the end of the week, preparations for the Chinese New Year celebrations in mid-February, and the commencement of a major airshow in India. Below is a detailed day-by-day overview highlighting key points for investors to watch.
Monday, January 26
Macroeconomics: The week begins relatively calmly. In Europe, the Ifo Business Climate Index for January is released for Germany, marking the first significant indicator of the year for the largest economy in the EU. An improvement in business sentiment could bolster the euro and European stocks, while weak data may heighten concerns regarding slowing growth. In the U.S., the durable goods orders report for December is released. The dynamics of these orders will indicate the state of the industrial sector ahead of the Fed's decision: an increase in orders signals business confidence and could strengthen expectations for a continued hawkish stance from the Fed, while a decline may indicate corporate caution. Trading in Asia is light—Australia observes a public holiday (Australia Day), reducing volumes on Asian markets. Overall, Monday sets the tone: there are few internal drivers, and global markets are focusing on external factors and expectations ahead of larger midweek events.
Corporate Reports: The earnings season is just gaining momentum. In the U.S., several industrial and financial companies, including some steel manufacturers and insurance firms, will publish results before market opening. For instance, reports from Steel Dynamics and Nucor will be assessed by investors for margin and demand insights in metallurgy, while insurance provider W.R. Berkley will focus on underwriting profitability. In Europe, there are few major releases on Monday, but Ryanair—a leading low-cost carrier—stands out. Ryanair’s quarterly financial results will reflect passenger traffic trends and the impact of fuel prices; a strong report could support stocks in the travel and aviation sector in the region. The Russian market (MOEX index) sees a quiet Monday, as large Russian companies typically do not reveal annual results until February-March, shifting investor attention toward external signals, oil prices, and the ruble exchange rate.
Tuesday, January 27
Macroeconomics: On Tuesday, the focus shifts to the U.S. and Asia. American investors will be watching the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index for January—an important leading indicator for domestic demand. A moderate decline in consumer sentiment is expected following the holiday season; an unexpectedly strong figure could lift the market, while a weak one may intensify discussions on slowing U.S. economic growth. Overall, markets are beginning to price in expectations ahead of the Fed meeting the next day, which could lead to cautious sentiment and minor volatility. In China, the workweek continues as normal (celebration for Chinese New Year will begin only in February), although investors are evaluating early signals of demand ahead of the holiday. In India, statistics on industrial production and budget will be released, which are important for assessing the prospects of the developing market, regardless of their limited global impact.
Corporate Reports: Tuesday is rich in earnings reports from major corporations, especially in the U.S. Before the U.S. market opens, quarterly results from several giants in the Dow Jones index will be released: Boeing will disclose its financial figures following the resumption of aircraft deliveries (investors will seek commentary on production rates and new orders), while auto manufacturer General Motors will present its sales and profit figures for the fourth quarter. Simultaneously, key logistics operator UPS (a barometer of business activity and e-commerce) and health insurer UnitedHealth Group will release their reports. In Europe, attention in the afternoon will center on the annual results of LVMH—the world's largest luxury conglomerate. LVMH’s report (with expectations of revenue growth for 2025) will serve as an indicator of consumer demand in the premium segment, and is particularly important for the European equity market. In sum, this day sets a global backdrop: investors compare the strengths and weaknesses of various economic sectors ahead of Wednesday's key events.
Wednesday, January 28
Macroeconomics: Wednesday is the central day of the week regarding central bank policy. The two-day Fed (FOMC) meeting concludes, and a decision on U.S. interest rates will be announced in the evening. The Fed is expected to maintain rates, but the rhetoric in the statement and at the press conference could significantly influence market sentiment globally. Investors will seek hints regarding the future monetary policy direction, given the recent slowdown in inflation in the U.S. Almost simultaneously, the Bank of Canada will meet; a hold on rates is also anticipated, and the regulator's comments on economic risks will be important. In the evening, the focus will also be on emerging markets: Brazil's central bank (Copom) will hold a rate meeting late Wednesday, where it may decide whether to continue the easing cycle from the current 15%. Additionally, South Africa's central bank will commence a two-day meeting (announcements will follow tomorrow). In Asia, there are no significant publications, but attention is on Japan—investors are evaluating fresh inflation data (December’s core inflation in Japan slowed to ~2.4% YoY) and are awaiting the Bank of Japan’s response after its recent meeting. Moreover, the Wings India 2026 airshow is set to start in Hyderabad (January 28-31), where leading aerospace manufacturers and airlines have gathered; this industry event may yield news on significant contracts and collaborations impacting aerospace sector stocks.
Corporate Reports: Midweek marks the arrival of the most anticipated batch of corporate earnings, particularly in the technology sector. After the close of the U.S. market on January 28, three tech megacorporations will present their fourth-quarter results for 2025: Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook). Microsoft’s report (released in the evening) will showcase the dynamics of cloud services and AI products; robust profitability growth in this sector could support the entire tech-heavy Nasdaq. Tesla will report on electric vehicle deliveries and profitability, as investors will track how price reductions on some models have affected margins. Meta’s results concerning online ad revenue and user activity will serve as litmus tests for the social media market amid competition. Additionally, several other S&P 500 companies are slated to release reports on Wednesday evening: for instance, chip equipment maker Lam Research and payment processor Mastercard. Interestingly, Mastercard’s figures for the fourth quarter will be published earlier on that same day before market opens; transaction volume forecasts will be key for assessing consumer activity. From the traditional sector, Boeing’s report (if not released earlier in the morning) deserves attention—comments on new orders and supply chain recovery are vital for the industrial sector. In Europe on Wednesday morning, the release of ASML—a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer—will provide insights into the global chipmaking cycle. Thus, Wednesday will emerge as a day of high volatility: the combination of central bank decisions and tech giants' reports could prompt significant movements in indices and currency rates.
Thursday, January 29
Macroeconomics: On Thursday, the focus shifts to other regions and data. In the first half of the day, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is expected to announce its interest rate decision: the market is anticipating a hold at the current level (considering inflation near 3% and prior cuts), although the regulator’s comments on the economic outlook in South Africa may influence the rand and risk appetite in emerging markets. In Europe, there are no major regulatory decisions scheduled (the ECB will meet next week), but individual data may be released—such as preliminary inflation estimates in some Eurozone countries or consumer confidence indicators. Investors are also continuing to assess the implications of the Fed meeting outcome: the second day following policy announcements often sees a reassessment and correction of market movements. Traditionally, U.S. jobless claims data is published on Thursdays; this timely labor market indicator will be interesting in the context of the Fed's rhetoric regarding an "easing" economy. Additionally, as the month wraps up, the U.S. Treasury Department may unveil updated plans for government debt issuance, influencing bond yields. It is important to note the political backdrop: with one day remaining before the U.S. government funding deadline, any news from Congress regarding budget approval or temporary agreements (or lack thereof) could significantly affect markets.
Corporate Reports: On January 29, investors can expect a new wave of significant corporate releases on both sides of the Atlantic. The main event of the day will be Apple’s financial results—the world's most valuable company will report after the U.S. market closes. This will be the first quarter of Apple’s fiscal 2026, encompassing the holiday season, so record revenue is anticipated: particularly interesting are the sales figures for new iPhone models and the performance of its services business. Any surprises from Apple can significantly influence the Nasdaq and the entire tech sector. Additionally, Visa— the largest payment system—will present its quarterly results in the evening, which will reflect global consumer spending metrics. Analysts expect growth in electronic payment volumes; investors will watch Visa’s forecasts for 2026 considering macro conditions. Before the trading begins on Thursday, Visa’s competitor Mastercard will report (as mentioned, its data may be available early in the morning): together, the reports from these two payment giants will provide a comprehensive picture of cashless payment and tourism trends. In Europe on Thursday morning, the technology conglomerate SAP (Germany) will publish its financial results for 2025—investors will assess SAP’s cloud services growth and outlook for the new year, which is crucial for the European tech sector. Furthermore, Nokia will release its results in Europe, demonstrating demand for 5G telecom equipment, especially amid intense competition in the global communications market. The Russian market is not expecting major financial releases on Thursday; however, there will be corporate calendar events: for instance, "All Tools" will disclose its 2025 production results, while real estate developer "Samолёт" will host an Investor Day, where market forecasts may be provided. Consequently, investors will receive vital guidance from leaders in the tech and financial sectors on Thursday, aiding in their strategy adjustments ahead of the week's end.
Friday, January 30
Macroeconomics: The end of the workweek is marked by the release of key statistical data, especially in Europe and Asia. In the Eurozone, preliminary GDP estimates for the fourth quarter of 2025 will be published on Friday. Economists forecast weak growth or stagnation in the Eurozone economy at the year's end—a result close to 0% QoQ amid high ECB interest rates and energy uncertainty. Actual GDP figures for the EU will shape market sentiments: growth exceeding expectations could support the euro and European stocks, while negative dynamics may amplify discussions over potential ECB policy easing later in 2026. Data from leading Eurozone countries (Germany, France) often releases the same day, with particular attention paid to Germany, where industrial decline could have hampered growth. In Asia, early Friday will see the release of January inflation figures for Tokyo—the consumer price index for Tokyo is a leading indicator for Japan as a whole. A further slowdown in annual inflation to around ~2% is expected, which could reinforce the perception of a temporary nature of the price spike in Japan and reduce pressure on the Bank of Japan regarding policy tightening. Macroeconomic statistics in the U.S. may be limited due to recent budgeting disputes: the release of the U.S. GDP report for Q4 was originally scheduled for January 30 but depended on the funding of statistical departments. If the U.S. government is not shut down by that day, a report on personal income and spending data for December (including PCE inflation) may be released—investors will evaluate consumer spending dynamics for year-end. Lastly, the political intrigue reaches its peak: the temporary U.S. budget expires on January 30. If Congress does not approve funding, there is a risk of a partial government shutdown starting January 31. Markets are extremely sensitive to this issue—throughout Friday, any news regarding budget negotiations (or their collapse) could spark noticeable fluctuations in the dollar, treasury bonds, and the broad equity market.
Corporate Reports: Friday concludes the week with powerful reports from the largest oil and gas companies and other corporations. Before the U.S. market opens on January 30, quarterly results will be released from two oil supermajors—ExxonMobil and Chevron. These reports are significant not only for corporate shareholders but for the entire energy sector and commodity markets: high oil prices at the end of 2025 are anticipated to have enabled both corporations to report strong profitability and cash flows. Investors are also looking forward to updates on share repurchase programs and capital expenditure plans for exploration in 2026. At the same time, financial conglomerate American Express (AXP) will announce its results—this Dow Jones issuer’s report will reflect trends in premium segment consumer spending and credit card debt levels. Additionally, among Friday's reports in the morning is telecommunications giant Verizon, which will disclose 5G subscriber growth metrics and dividend forecasts; any surprises could influence the entire communications sector. The European market remains relatively quiet at the end of the week in terms of new reports (most EU companies have either reported in previous days or are preparing for February). However, on the Russian market, important operational data may emerge on Friday: for example, Russian oil companies typically publish extraction and export data for the past quarter at the end of the month, potentially impacting oil stock prices in Russia. After the market closes on Friday, significant reports are not anticipated—investors will evaluate the outcomes of a busy week and prepare for new data in the next.
Weekend January 31 - February 1
Macroeconomics and Events: Over the weekend, markets take a pause; however, attention will shift to Asia. On Saturday, January 31, China is expected to publish its official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January. This release is even scheduled on a weekend, as it is a key indicator for the world’s second-largest economy. PMI values around the neutral mark of 50 are anticipated—maintaining proximity to this threshold would confirm the stabilization of China's industrial growth. An improvement in PMI above 50 would serve as a positive sign indicating acceleration in activity ahead of the Spring Festival, while a decline below 50 would heighten concerns regarding weak domestic demand. On Sunday, February 1, no significant economic events are scheduled. However, investors will closely watch developments in Washington: if the budget crisis in the U.S. is not resolved by Saturday, partial federal government operations will commence on Sunday—markets will open the following week factoring this situation. Additionally, a series of holidays in Asia is approaching—February’s arrival will prompt market participants to consider the upcoming Chinese New Year (with peak celebrations on February 17) and the associated extended breaks for Asian exchanges.
Conclusion: What Investors Should Consider
The week of January 26 - February 1, 2026, promises to be eventful and will require heightened attention from investors to the news backdrop. **Firstly**, the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting and accompanying comments will set direction for global markets— even without a rate change, the tone of statements regarding the ongoing fight against inflation is crucial. **Secondly**, a series of macro reports (Eurozone GDP, China PMI, Japan inflation, U.S. consumer confidence) will allow for adjustments to predictions for global growth: improvement in indicators will stimulate risk appetite, while weak data will increase demand for defensive assets (bonds, gold). **Thirdly**, the peak of the corporate earnings season continues: results from giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Meta, Visa, ExxonMobil, and others could lead to capital reallocation among sectors. Investors need to closely monitor not only earnings exceeding or missing forecasts but also management guidance for 2026—many companies share their expectations for the entire year, which will impact their stock valuations. **Finally**, geopolitical and political factors should not be overlooked: the potential government shutdown in the U.S. at week’s end poses a risk to the credit rating and trust in the dollar, and also indicates the ability of American legislators to reach agreements. On the global stage, signs of stabilization (e.g., progress in peace talks) or, conversely, new sources of tension will be reflected in energy prices and currencies in emerging markets. Ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year and the corresponding breaks in the activity of Asian exchanges, investors worldwide should timely rebalance their portfolios. In conclusion, the week promises volatility but also provides opportunities: a sound analysis of economic trends and corporate reports will facilitate well-informed investment decisions.
