Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026: China's PMI Index, U.S. Budget Crisis, and a Pause in the Earnings Season. An Analytical Review for Investors.
Daily Overview for Investors
The last day of January is unfolding relatively calmly for global markets, but it carries important signals. Investor attention is focused on the morning PMI data from China, which will indicate the state of manufacturing and the services sector at the beginning of 2026. Concurrently, the United States has managed to avoid the threat of a shutdown: Congress has passed a temporary budget resolution, alleviating immediate political risk. The absence of major corporate reports this Saturday allows market participants to reflect on the month's outcomes and prepare for a new phase of trading.
Key Economic Events (time – MSK)
- 04:30 – China: January PMI Manufacturing, Services, and Composite Indexes.
U.S.: Budget Compromise Removes Shutdown Threat
The United States has avoided a federal government shutdown. At the last moment, Republicans and Democrats in Congress managed to agree on funding: a spending package has been approved, extending the operation of most agencies until the end of September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been granted a temporary funding extension for several weeks, reflecting the compromise nature of the agreement.
This news has come as a relief to markets: the risk of an immediate shutdown has been eliminated, and the economic ramifications have so far been minimized. Investors reacted positively to the prevention of a budget crisis, as a shutdown could have reduced U.S. GDP and heightened volatility in the equity markets. However, political uncertainty has not completely disappeared: ongoing negotiations around the budget and long-term spending still carry a tension factor that could influence business confidence and the dollar's exchange rate.
China: January PMI Reflects Economic Trends
The official business activity indexes (PMI) for China in January signal a continuation of moderate growth at the start of the year. The manufacturing PMI index is projected by analysts to be around the key level of 50 points, which separates expansion from contraction (the December figure was approximately 50.1). The actual number around 50.2 indicates weak industrial expansion in China, suggesting a gradual stabilization following the fluctuations seen at the end of 2025. The non-manufacturing PMI (services and construction) also remains just above 50 points, reflecting a cautious optimism in the services sector.
For global markets, data from China serves as an early barometer of the health of the world's second-largest economy. Keeping PMI above 50 points inspires moderate optimism: demand in China is not contracting, which supports commodity prices and exporter revenues. However, growth rates remain close to zero, so any drop in PMI could amplify concerns regarding the slowdown of Asian and global economic growth. Investors in developing countries and commodity markets are closely monitoring Chinese indicators, comparing trends in manufacturing and services with expectations around exports, raw material consumption, and multinational corporations' profits.
Global Markets: January Results
January 2026 turned out to be a mixed month for key stock indices. The American S&P 500 closes the month with a modest increase: strong reports from several tech giants supported the U.S. market, offsetting concerns surrounding inflation and Federal Reserve interest rates. The European Euro Stoxx 50 exhibited a similar trend, managing to show slight growth in light of resilient economic data from the Eurozone. In the Asia-Pacific region, sentiments were more subdued: Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broader MSCI Asia index closed January near neutral levels, reflecting investor caution amid mixed macroeconomic indicators from China and actions by the Bank of Japan.
For the Russian market, January also proceeded relatively calmly. The MOEX index fluctuated within a narrow range, responding to changes in oil prices and the overall risk appetite in emerging markets. Overall, the results from the first month of 2026 indicate that global investors are balancing between hopes for a soft landing of the world economy and concerns regarding inflationary risks. Further dynamics will largely depend on new data and corporate results in the upcoming weeks.
Corporate Reports: Major Public Companies Reporting on January 31, 2026
No major public company financial reports are scheduled for Saturday, January 31, as this day falls on a weekend for global markets. The calendars of the U.S. (S&P 500 index) and Europe (Euro Stoxx 50) lack blue-chip reports. The same applies to major exchange giants in Asia and issuers on the MOEX— investors in these regions have nothing to evaluate on the corporate front today.
The pause in the earnings season allows for the analysis of already released results and preparation for a new wave of releases expected in early February. In the U.S., several technology and consumer leaders, including Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.com, are slated to report next week. These releases attract market-wide attention. In Europe, investors will focus on the indicators from industrial conglomerates and banks. Thus, today’s break offers an opportunity to assess overall trends in the corporate sector—revenue growth, profitability, management forecasts—before new data begins to influence stock prices in the coming days.
What Investors Should Focus On
- China's PMI Data: Compare actual manufacturing and services indexes with the threshold level of 50 points and forecasts. A stronger-than-expected PMI could improve sentiment in commodity markets and support shares of raw material companies, while weak figures could heighten concerns regarding demand in Asia.
- Budget Situation in the U.S.: Monitor developments following the temporary compromise. The absence of a shutdown removes short-term risks, but discussions regarding the budget and national debt will continue. Any new disagreements or threats could once again heighten volatility in the dollar and U.S. government bonds.
- Earnings Season: Use the weekend pause to evaluate key insights from already published quarterly reports. It's crucial to pay attention not only to profit metrics but also to companies’ forecasts regarding demand, margins, and capital expenditures for 2026; especially for energy and banking sectors, where expectations on rates and the credit cycle are critical. This will help adjust sector expectations ahead of the new wave of earnings releases.
- Preparation for the New Week: Considering the outcomes of January and current news, formulate an action plan for early February. Investors from CIS countries should take international context into account: data from China and the resolved budget matter in the U.S. may set the tone for trading on the Moscow Exchange on Monday. The discipline of risk management is essential: balance the portfolio taking global factors into account and be ready for potential index fluctuations.
In summary, Saturday, January 31, provides markets with a breather for reassessing the situation. Despite the limited number of events, the signals received—from Chinese PMI to the U.S. budget compromise—are forming the foundation for sentiment at the beginning of February. It is beneficial for investors to use this day for analysis and preparation, aiming to enter the new trading week with as complete a picture of macroeconomic and corporate trends as possible.
