Key Economic Events for January 2, 2026: PMI Data from Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. Exchange Closures Due to New Year’s, Ongoing Trading, and What Investors Should Focus on as the Trading Year Commences.
Friday, January 2, 2026, is expected to be relatively calm on the global financial markets due to the ongoing New Year holidays. Most major exchanges remain closed, and investors will be focusing on the release of global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for release on Friday are the PMI figures for Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. These statistical releases will provide the first insights into the state of the global economy for the new year. In the corporate sector, notable earnings reports are sparse – major financial results from large companies are expected later in January and February. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to dividend announcements and specific corporate events. As the week progresses, markets will resume activity post-holidays, which will shape index dynamics. Overall, investors should be prepared for lower liquidity and increased volatility – even minor news could trigger sharp market movements.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- Australia: IHS Markit Manufacturing PMI (December) – 01:00 MSK (preliminary).
- India: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 08:00 MSK.
- Russia: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 09:00 MSK.
- Germany: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 11:55 MSK.
- Eurozone: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 12:00 MSK.
- UK: S&P Global/BME Manufacturing PMI (December) – 12:30 MSK.
- Brazil: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 16:00 MSK.
- Canada: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 17:30 MSK.
- USA: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December, final) – 17:45 MSK.
Trading Sessions and New Year Holidays
- Exchanges closed: China, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan (New Year).
- Exchanges open: The USA and Canada return to normal trading schedules on January 2 (after the break on January 1).
- Russian markets: Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is closed on January 2 due to the holiday, while the St. Petersburg Exchange trades as usual.
- Australian markets are open for trading, but major financial releases are published in the morning (PMI, see above).
Global Markets and Indices
- USA (S&P 500): Markets will resume trading after the holidays; investors will monitor PMI data and await quarterly results from companies closer to the end of the month.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Major European exchanges will be closed on Friday, while indicators will be guided by PMI from Germany and the Eurozone, alongside oil prices and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- Asia (Nikkei 225): Japanese markets remain on holiday; Chinese and Hong Kong exchanges are also closed for the New Year. The rest of the Asia-Pacific region transitions into the new year without significant data.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): Trading on MOEX is currently suspended, with pressure on the ruble likely to continue from global oil prices and geopolitical factors. Trading is planned to resume on the main platforms in the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Due to the holidays, there are almost no major reports on Friday. Many companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will publish results later in January. Smaller tech players continue their publication schedule, such as Taylor Devices (NASDAQ:TAYD), which is expected to report for Q3 of fiscal 2026 (end of December 2025).
- Some companies are declaring dividends as the year begins. For instance, NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) announced a dividend of $0.52 with a record date on January 2, 2026 (payment on January 21). American Express (NYSE:AXP) has already declared a dividend with a record date of January 2, 2026. These events will attract the attention of dividend-focused investors.
- Overall, the earnings season has not yet kicked off. Investors are focused on external indicators and statements from central bank leaders (though there are no scheduled meetings for the Fed and ECB this week).
End of Day Summary: What Investors Should Focus On
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. The New Year holidays have reduced trading volumes. With limited activity, even small news can lead to sharp market movements. It is crucial for investors to manage risks and approach trades thoughtfully ahead of a full resumption of trading.
- PMI Publications. PMI indexes (Australia, India, Europe, the USA, etc.) will be the first major economic signals of the new year. Any increase or decrease in the PMI will indicate the pace of economic activity and could influence investor sentiment and currency rates.
- Corporate Sector. While there are few major reports today, a series of publications from large companies (tech giants, banks, energy firms) are expected by the end of January. Early signals will particularly come from dividend cut-offs (see NetApp, AmEx) and reports from specific sectors.
- Oil and the Ruble. Oil prices remain a key driver for the ruble market. It is important for investors to keep an eye on the energy market: even minor changes in oil pricing can significantly impact the Russian currency and the MOEX index.
- Global Context. Also, on Tuesday and Wednesday, pay attention to political news and trade statements (such as tariffs or geopolitical issues) that could set the tone for the markets in the first week of the year. In the current conditions, conservative strategies and diversification remain priorities.
This brief overview provides key guidelines for investors on January 2, 2026. Keep a close watch on the release of statistics, movements of major indices, and corporate news to make informed investment decisions.
