Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, February 28, 2026: Berkshire Hathaway Report Release, Rate Expectations, and Global Market Analysis in the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia Ahead of the New Week
Saturday, February 28, 2026, is an atypical day for macroeconomic statistics and corporate reporting: key stock markets (US, Europe, Japan, Russia) are closed. However, “weekend” does not mean “empty”: major issuers sometimes publish reports and annual materials during the weekend to give the market time to digest the information before trading resumes. This format makes today significant for assessing sentiment ahead of the new week.
Market Mode of the Day: Lower Liquidity, Delayed Reaction
- Low liquidity in most exchanges means that there may not be a direct price reaction to news.
- Reassessment of expectations will carry over to futures, over-the-counter quotes, and market openings on Monday.
- Shift of focus from “numbers of the day” to preparations for the macro week: investors are building scenarios regarding rates, currencies, and commodities in advance.
Economic Events: Minimal Statistics, But the Market Lives on Expectations
On February 28, the macroeconomic calendar is usually “thin” due to the weekend. As a result, the main function of the day is not new releases but adjusting positions ahead of March publications (business activity indexes, manufacturing surveys, employment data, and inflation expectations).
- US: Official releases are typically absent (weekend). The market is preparing for data next week regarding manufacturing activity and the services sector.
- Europe: Significant publications on weekend days are usually minimal; investors focus on the trajectory of rates and comments from regulators that may appear at the beginning of the week.
- Asia: The end of the month traditionally raises interest in business activity surveys and updates on industrial indicators, but specific dates depend on national agencies' calendars and holiday transfers.
- Russia: Statistics are rarely released on weekends; key benchmarks include ruble liquidity, oil quotes, and expectations regarding the Bank of Russia’s rate.
Implications for Rates, Currencies, and Commodities
In the absence of “strong” macro data, the market often shifts into interpretation mode: even one significant corporate release can alter the balance of expectations regarding risk appetite.
- Dollar and Global Currencies: Movement may be limited, but positioning for Monday is strengthening—particularly in pairs sensitive to rates.
- Bond Yields: Reactions are more often reflected in expectations along the curve at the beginning of the week rather than today.
- Oil and Gas: During weekends, the news background (geopolitics, cartel statements, logistics) is more important than statistics. Market participants are laying out scenarios ahead of futures session openings.
Corporate Reports: US (S&P 500 and Major Public Companies)
The key event of the day is the publication of financial results and annual materials of Berkshire Hathaway (classes BRK.A and BRK.B) as a weekend release. For the global market, this is one of the most “indicative” reports: the company combines insurance business, railway infrastructure, energy, and a large equity portfolio, making its numbers and comments commonly viewed as a barometer of the US economy.
Key Points to Watch in the Berkshire Hathaway Report
- Underwriting Operating Profit and trends in insurance premiums.
- Investment Performance: returns from the bond/cash portfolio and realized gains from equities.
- Capital and Liquidity: cash and cash equivalents volume, approach to cash placement.
- Buyback/Capital Allocation: signals regarding stock repurchase and asset valuation discipline.
- Real Economy Segments: BNSF (railways), energy assets, consumer and industrial subsidiaries.
Practical Implication: If the report shows sustained profitability in insurance and a “calm” commentary regarding the economy, it raises the likelihood of a more confident start for risk assets at the beginning of the week. Conversely, an increase in losses, a deterioration in claim frequency, or a cautious tone regarding demand/transportation may amplify defensive sentiments.
Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Weekend Reporting is Rare — Focus on Comments
For major European companies, the publication of reports on Saturday is not common. Thus, investors in the Euro Stoxx 50 usually do two things on this day:
- Summarize the completed reporting week and update margin expectations amid energy, logistics, and payroll costs;
- Prepare scenarios for March: ECB rate sensitivity, lending dynamics, and demand in industry/services.
Asia (Nikkei 225): Month-End Preparations are More Important than Release Facts
For the Japanese market, the end of February serves as a “bridge” to the publications in the first days of March (business activity, external demand, supply chains). In the absence of trading on Saturday, investors evaluate:
- Currency Factor (yen and its impact on exporters);
- Technology Cycle and demand for semiconductors/equipment;
- Commodity Impulse (oil/LNG) and its effect on import prices.
Russia (MOEX): Weekend Corporate Agenda is Limited
In the Russian market, Saturdays typically do not feature a “dense” schedule of major issuers' reports; however, investors monitor:
- Oil Dynamics and expectations regarding export revenues;
- Ruble Exchange Rate and ruble liquidity parameters;
- Regulatory Risks and corporate news that may be published outside trading hours.
Key Events of the Day: What Truly Drives Expectations
- Publication of the Berkshire Hathaway Report and its perception as an indicator of the resilience of the US economy.
- Reassessment of Scenarios for March: rates/inflation/business activity (especially following last week’s data).
- Commodity and Geopolitical Background that may alter inflation risk assessments even before markets open.
What Investors Should Focus on Before the Week Opens
The main task on Saturday is to prepare for Monday, March 2, 2026: today, the market is not fully “digesting” the data into prices but is actively forming expectations. The key trigger is the Berkshire Hathaway report: it sets the tone for discussions regarding the state of corporate America, profitability quality, and capital allocation discipline.
Investor Checklist (In Brief)
- Read the key points from the Berkshire report: segment profits, cash, buyback, economic comments.
- Update scenarios regarding rates and yields for the first week of March.
- Check the sensitivity of the portfolio to a potential “gap” at the opening: banks/insurance, cyclical sectors, commodity assets.
- Predefine risk levels and a rebalancing plan for Monday (if the news background intensifies volatility).
