Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Saturday, January 3, 2026. Overview of Global Macroeconomics, State of US, European, Asian, and Russian Stock Markets, Key Benchmarks for Investors.
Saturday, January 3, 2026, is expected to be an exceptionally quiet day in the global financial markets. The New Year celebrations continue, and on this holiday weekend, most major exchanges remain closed. There are no significant economic publications scheduled, which leaves investors with limited guidance. The corporate sector is also experiencing a lull, as major company reports will not be released until later, closer to mid-January. Nevertheless, market participants remain vigilant: any unexpected news, particularly from the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, could influence market sentiment ahead of the trading week’s opening.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- Australia: S&P Global Services PMI for December and the composite PMI index are expected to be published during the day.
- No other significant macroeconomic data is being released today: most countries refrain from publishing statistics due to the holiday weekend. The first wave of economic indicators for the new year will begin next week in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Trading Sessions and New Year Holidays
- Exchanges Closed: All major global markets are not operating this Saturday, as it is a common holiday for global financial markets.
- Continuation of Holidays: Many stock markets (including those in the US and Europe) have completed a shortened festive week and will resume full trading only on Monday, January 5.
- Russian Markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) continues its New Year holiday (trading is suspended until next week), while the St. Petersburg Exchange is also closed on January 3 due to the holiday.
- Middle East: Exchanges in several Gulf countries traditionally do not trade on Saturdays and will open tomorrow, January 4, commencing their first trading session of the new year.
Global Markets and Indices
- US (S&P 500): American markets are closed for the holiday. After the first day of trading in the new year, investors in the US are assessing the outlook for the start of 2026; attention is shifting to upcoming macroeconomic events, including the release of the ISM Manufacturing Index early next week and the critical Non-Farm Payrolls report on January 9. Additionally, the market is waiting for signals ahead of the new corporate earnings season.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): European exchanges are also non-operational during the weekend; key indices in the region have experienced minimal changes over the holiday period. European investors are focused on the reopening of trading on January 5 and upcoming economic data for the Eurozone (inflation, business activity), along with external factors such as oil price movements and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- Asia (Nikkei 225): Major markets in the Asia-Pacific region are on pause due to the holiday. In Japan, the New Year celebrations are concluding (trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange will resume next week), while Chinese and several other Asian exchanges are also closed. Regional investors, meanwhile, are monitoring external cues and preparing for a return to trading on Monday.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): Trading on Russian exchanges is suspended due to ongoing New Year holidays. The ruble and MOEX indices remain stable amid low activity, but as the market returns post-holidays, they will begin to react to external drivers—chiefly fluctuations in oil prices and geopolitical factors. It is expected that the main activity on MOEX will recover during the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Company Reports: Due to the holiday, there are no financial results from major companies being published today. Most issuers from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will report their fourth-quarter results only in the second half of January when the main earnings season starts.
- US Market: The first reports from American corporations will traditionally begin to appear in mid-January, starting with leading banks and technology giants. Investors are awaiting signals from their results regarding the financial outcomes of 2025 and forecasts for 2026.
- Europe and Asia: Similarly, major European and Asian companies will present their quarterly results closer to the end of January or in February. This week, the focus in these regions is more on the macroeconomic environment and forecasts than on corporate reports.
- Dividends and Announcements: The start of the year sometimes brings news about dividends or strategic plans from certain companies. However, during the New Year celebrations, such corporate news is limited. Investors should keep an eye on company press releases in the coming days—key dividend dates and plans for the year may be announced soon after the holidays.
Day’s Summary: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility: Holiday weekends are accompanied by decreased trading volumes; with limited activity, even a single news event can provoke disproportionately sharp market fluctuations. It is important for investors to proceed cautiously: manage risks and avoid large transactions until normal liquidity is restored.
- OPEC+ and Oil Prices: On Sunday, January 4, OPEC+ countries will hold a meeting, the results of which will determine whether oil production quotas will remain unchanged. Any unexpected decision could trigger noticeable oil price movement at the start of the year. Accordingly, the energy sector and currencies of commodity-exporting countries (including the Russian ruble) will react to the outcomes of this meeting on Monday.
- Start of Earnings Season: Although there are no major corporate releases today, the earnings season will commence in a couple of weeks when major banks, IT companies, and industrial corporations begin to publish their results for the fourth quarter. Expectations and preliminary assessments of these reports will gradually be priced into stock prices—investors should consider potential surprises in corporate earnings ahead of time.
- Macroeconomic Background and Policy: The absence of significant statistics during the holiday means that the first trading days of the new year will be particularly dependent on the news background. At the beginning of the week, markets will receive a batch of data (for example, service sector activity indices in various countries) and may see the publication of minutes from recent central bank meetings. Additionally, any statements from politicians or sudden geopolitical events could influence investor sentiment. In these conditions, conservative strategies remain relevant—asset diversification and a measured approach to risk will help protect the portfolio in case of unexpected volatility.
This review provides key benchmarks for investors on January 3, 2026. In the context of minimal market activity, it is crucial to remain vigilant: monitor news over the weekend, track major indices' dynamics upon market opening, and stay informed about upcoming economic publications to make informed investment decisions.
