Main Economic Events on October 25, 2025: Weekly Summary, Central Bank of Russia's Rate Decision, Reports from Major Companies — Procter & Gamble, VTB, ICICI Bank. Market Analysis for Investors from the CIS on the USA, Europe, Asia, and Russia.
Introduction. Investors from the CIS welcome Saturday, October 25, without scheduled global macroeconomic publications or stock trading, but with keen attention to the outcomes of the past week. Although this weekend sees no new statistical reports or central bank decisions, the business community is analyzing the accumulated data on the economy and corporate reporting. The week's end is a time for reassessing strategies: markets are digesting the key signals from recent days and preparing for upcoming events. Below is an overview of the global economic situation and corporate results by region, as well as factors for investors to consider this weekend.
Asia: A Quiet Day and Results from Indian Banks
The Asia-Pacific region is observing Saturday without new macroeconomic releases. The major markets in the region closed yesterday with mixed dynamics: investors have taken into account the macro data received over the week and are now taking a pause. Attention shifts to corporate news: in India, the financial sector is in focus due to reports from the largest banks. ICICI Bank, a leader in India's banking sector, released its financial results for July to September yesterday, reporting a solid growth in profit and loan portfolio. Following that, Kotak Mahindra Bank reveals its quarterly results; steady profit figures and asset quality are expected. These reports from Indian banks provide investors with a benchmark regarding the state of the financial system in one of Asia's largest emerging markets.
No significant events are occurring in other Asian countries today, and regional exchanges are using the weekend to evaluate the previous drivers. Japan's inflation for September remained moderate, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will maintain its ultra-loose policy. Thus, the day in the region is passing quietly: investors are analyzing information and preparing for market openings on Monday.
Europe: Time Change and Perspective Assessment
In Europe, the weekend is also not accompanied by new statistical reports but carries a technical event: on the night of October 25-26, several countries in the region will switch to winter time. On Sunday, clocks in the Eurozone, the UK, and other European states will be set back by one hour. For investors, this means that from the start of the new week, the time difference between European and other global financial centers will change — a factor that needs to be considered when tracking market openings and closings.
European stock indices ended the week without a unifying trend. The PMIs released on Friday generally matched forecasts: the industrial sector is stagnating, while the services sector is showing slight growth. The Eurozone economy maintains a fragile balance, where industrial weakness is compensated by stability in the service sector. Moderately positive corporate reports helped prevent markets from declining. NatWest Group reported an increase in profits and raised its forecast, while Sanofi noted revenue growth — these news supported market confidence. However, in the absence of new triggers on Saturday, European market participants are focused on medium-term perspectives. Interestingly, next week will see the ECB meeting (October 30), where a decision to maintain current interest rates is expected. Consequently, European investors are utilizing the weekend to assess the trajectory of monetary policy and economic prospects for the region.
Russia: Impact of Rate Reduction and Corporate Results
For the Russian market, Saturday is a time to reflect on important decisions and news received the day before. On October 24, the Bank of Russia announced its decision on the key rate: the regulator lowered the rate by 0.5 percentage points to 16.5% per annum. This signals a desire to support the economy amidst its slowdown, although annual inflation still exceeds 8%, limiting further easing possibilities. The central bank stated that it would closely monitor inflation and the ruble's exchange rate to adjust its policy if necessary.
The Russian stock market reacted positively to the interest rate decision. The MosBirzha Index rose, bouncing back from recent lows amid expectations for a softer policy. The rate cut enhanced the attractiveness of stocks, although it pressures the ruble. The ruble weakened slightly on Friday, nearing 100 rubles per dollar; the combination of the rate cut and external factors continues to exert pressure on the Russian currency.
The domestic corporate reporting season also continues. On Friday, the state-owned bank VTB published its report for the third quarter, showing a gradual recovery of profitability after last year's losses — the results indicate the banking sector's adaptation to new conditions. In the oil and gas sector, the news backdrop remains uncertain: interim dividends from "Lukoil" are in question due to sanction risks, heightening uncertainty in the industry. Saturday provides the Russian market with a breather to contemplate the central bank's decisions and corporate news ahead of the new week.
USA: Data Pause and Analysis of Quarterly Results
In the United States, October 25 passes without economic statistics — all key releases of the week have already been published, and markets are closed until Monday. American investors utilize the weekend to evaluate several important signals from recent days. The consumer price index (CPI) for September posed no surprises, emerging close to forecasts, confirming the rationale for the Fed's pause in raising rates. Other indicators (preliminary PMI for October, University of Michigan consumer sentiment index) also emerged at levels similar to previous ones, signaling continued moderate growth in the U.S. economy.
The U.S. corporate reporting season has peaked, and investors are processing a wealth of fresh company results this weekend. The week's end brought a wave of quarterly reports. Procter & Gamble reported sales growth, affirming robust consumer demand. Ford Motor published cautious results: recent strikes and expenses related to electric vehicles continued to pressure margins, although negotiations with unions have begun to progress. General Dynamics met forecasts amid high demand for defense products, while HCA Healthcare exceeded revenue expectations, reflecting an increased demand for healthcare services. However, several tech giants (from the FAANG group) disappointed the market, falling short of forecasts, leading to a decline in the Nasdaq earlier in the week. Nevertheless, the combined profits of companies within the S&P 500 index are estimated to have grown by about 9% year-on-year — above initial season expectations, reinforcing hopes for a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy.
Global Stock Indices
- S&P 500 (USA): ended the week with a slight increase amid strong corporate reporting.
- Euro Stoxx 50 (Europe): changed little over the week against a backdrop of neutral PMIs and no surprises in corporate reporting.
- Nikkei 225 (Japan): held its ground, supported by a weak yen and expectations of lenient policies from the Bank of Japan.
- MosBirzha Index (Russia): rose, bouncing back from the week's lows. The Central Bank of Russia's rate cut provided an impetus for demand in the banking and consumer sectors.
Commodities and Currencies
- Oil (Brent): closed the week around $62 per barrel, continuing its recovery. OPEC+ production cuts and declining inventories support prices despite uncertainties in the global economy.
- Gold: hovers around $2000 per troy ounce amid ongoing geopolitical tension. Investors view the precious metal as a safe-haven asset, while moderate inflation and stable Fed rates temper strong price fluctuations in gold.
- Currencies: the euro/dollar remains stable around $1.07, while the ruble has weakened to about 100 per dollar following the Central Bank of Russia's rate cut (high export prices mitigate the impact).
What Investors Should Focus On
Saturday is a good opportunity for investors to summarize and assess risk balance in their portfolios. Despite the absence of new events on October 25, external factors continue to influence sentiment: conditions in commodity markets, geopolitical circumstances, and anticipated regulators' decisions shape the backdrop for the beginning of the next week. Investors from the CIS should pay attention to upcoming events: new macro data (U.S. labor market, China’s business activity indices) and new corporate reports are expected in the coming days. In such conditions, diversifying assets and maintaining a moderately cautious approach is advisable. The weekend allows for a sober assessment of strategies: the global economy is currently demonstrating relative resilience, but unexpected regulatory policy changes or corporate surprises could shift the market. As the week concludes, investors should be prepared to react promptly to news from the following week, keeping a finger on the pulse of economic events and trends in global markets.
