Economic Events and Corporate Reports — Monday, January 19, 2026: China's GDP, Davos, Inflation

Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Monday, January 19, 2026: China's GDP, Inflation in Canada, Start of the Davos Forum, and Reports from Major Public Companies Worldwide. Analysis for Investors.

Monday marks the beginning of a new week in global markets with a focus on significant global events. Investors' attention is drawn to macroeconomic statistics from Asia and North America and the commencement of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos. Trading activity may be subdued due to the public holiday in the US (Martin Luther King Day); however, the economic data from China and inflation figures from Canada have the potential to set the tone for the Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and other markets. On the corporate front, reports from several large companies in Asia will start to emerge; in the US, the earnings season is just gearing up (with major releases beginning on Tuesday). Let’s take a closer look at the agenda for January 19, 2026, and the key points investors should focus on.

Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)

1. 02:50 — Japan: Change in Machinery and Equipment Orders (November). A leading indicator of investment activity in Japan's manufacturing sector.
2. 03:00 — Australia: Inflation Indicator from the Melbourne Institute (December). An unofficial monthly price index that signals trends ahead of quarterly CPI data.
3. 03:01 — United Kingdom: Rightmove House Price Index (January). A barometer of activity in the UK real estate market.
4. 05:00 — China: Q4 2025 statistics block – GDP growth rates, industrial production, retail sales, and unemployment rate. Key data for the world’s second-largest economy for the previous quarter.
5. 12:00 — Eurozone: Final Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December 2025. Confirmed inflation assessment within the currency bloc.
6. All day — Switzerland: World Economic Forum in Davos (January 19–23). The start of a meeting of world political and business leaders to discuss the global economy.
7. 16:30 — Canada: Consumer Price Index (December). Inflation data for Canada for the previous month, significant for the Bank of Canada and currency markets.

Focus: China's Economy in Q4

• China's GDP: Economic growth in the People's Republic of China is expected to continue in Q4 2025, following previous recovery periods. The annual GDP growth figure will signal the dynamics of the world's second-largest economy; stronger figures will support commodity markets and currencies of emerging markets, while weak data may heighten concerns about a slowdown in global growth.
• Industry and Consumption: December data on industrial production and retail sales in China will reflect the state of the manufacturing sector and domestic demand at year-end. An acceleration in factory output and retail trade will indicate a robust recovery in China's economy, positively influencing global demand for raw materials and goods. Conversely, if the data falls short of expectations, it could adversely affect investor sentiment towards Asian markets.
• Market Impact: As the largest consumer of raw materials, China directly affects the prices of oil, metals, and the dynamics of currencies of countries like Australia and New Zealand. Exceeding forecasts for Chinese indicators may improve risk appetite in equity markets and lift emerging market indices, while disappointing data could amplify demand for safe-haven assets.

World Economic Forum in Davos

• Forum Start: The annual World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos (Switzerland) and will run all week (January 19–23). The theme for the 2026 meeting is "The Spirit of Dialogue," set against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical conditions and challenges for the global economy.
• High-Level Participation: Attendance is expected from prominent global leaders and heads of major corporations. This year, the US delegation will attract special attention – reports indicate that the US President will be one of the central speakers at the forum. Leaders from the European Union and major international organizations are also expected to speak.
• Topics and Market Influence: Key issues on Davos' agenda include global security, combating inflation, restoring global trade, and technological changes. Statements made at the forum may influence investor sentiment: any signals of international cooperation, new economic initiatives, or risk assessments (for example, concerning geopolitics and climate) could trigger movements in currency and equity markets worldwide.

Corporate Reports: Asia

• LG Electronics (South Korea) – will release financial results for the full year of 2025. Investors will assess electronics sales during the holiday season and the profitability of the company's core business units amid global competition in the consumer electronics segment.
• LG Energy Solution (South Korea) – 2025 report. One of the largest producers of batteries for electric vehicles will present annual results; the market will seek signs of increased demand for EV batteries and the state of orders from automakers.
• Samsung Electro-Mechanics (South Korea) – Q4 2025 financial report. The company specializes in electronic components (capacitors, camera modules, etc.) for the global technology sector; results will provide insight into supply chain conditions and demand from electronics manufacturers.
• Samsung Biologics (South Korea) – Q4 report. Samsung's biopharmaceutical division will present year-end figures; investors will focus on trends in contract manufacturing of drugs and biotechnological products, considering the global trend toward pharmaceutical development.
• Hyundai Steel (South Korea) – Q4 2025 report. As a major steel producer, the company reflects activity in the construction and automotive sectors. An increase or decrease in Hyundai Steel's profits signals trends in demand for steel in Asia and globally.

Corporate Reports: USA and Europe

• American Tower (USA) – one of the few American companies in the S&P 500 with a report scheduled for January 19 (Q4 2025). This large real estate investment trust (REIT) owning telecommunications towers typically releases results before market opening. Although US exchanges are closed, investors will analyze rental revenue figures and management forecasts to assess the prospects of the telecom sector and infrastructure REITs for 2026.
• United Microelectronics (UMC, Taiwan) – a significant Asian semiconductor manufacturer (the second-largest contract chipmaker after TSMC) will present Q4 results. Although UMC's shares are traded in Asia, the company's data is of interest to global investors due to the situation in the semiconductor industry and demand for chips ahead of reports from US tech giants.
• Virbac (France) – a pharmaceutical company specializing in veterinary drugs will announce preliminary Q4 results after European trading closes. Though Virbac is not among the largest companies in the Euro Stoxx 50, its report will indicate demand trends in the veterinary pharmaceutical market and may provide insights for the European healthcare sector.
• Note: Many heavyweights in the American and European markets (Netflix, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, etc.) will report later in the same week. Monday is relatively calm in terms of major releases, hence, investors are preparing for a flurry of earnings reports beginning Tuesday.

Corporate Reports: Russia (MOEX)

• Russian Companies: No significant financial reporting is scheduled for January 19 in the Russian market. Investors on the Moscow Exchange will primarily focus on the external environment. However, the following day, the release of data from the country's largest bank is expected: Sberbank will present financial results according to RAS for December 2025. This report may impact the dynamics of the MOEX index on Tuesday, prompting market participants to closely monitor any news regarding Sberbank and the banking sector.

Other Markets and Indices: S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, MOEX

• S&P 500 (USA): US stock markets will be closed on Monday for the national holiday. Futures on US indices will react only to overseas news. The absence of trading in New York may reduce overall volatility at the start of the day; however, by Tuesday, the US market will return to active trading, catching up on the reactions to the news that came out during the holiday. The forthcoming flow of corporate reports remains a focal point, likely shifting the indices S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
• Euro Stoxx 50 (Eurozone): For the European market, Monday will commence with an assessment of Chinese figures – positive news from Asia could uplift the shares of mining companies and automakers present in Euro Stoxx 50. If the final Eurozone CPI for December confirms a slowdown in inflation around ~2%, it will bolster expectations of softer ECB policy and may elicit a moderately positive reaction in European equities. The Davos Forum will be a key topic this week in Europe, where statements influencing the business climate may be heard.
• Nikkei 225 (Japan): The Japanese index will react to the local statistics released in the morning (machinery orders) and data from China. Neutral movement in the Nikkei is possible as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach before the Bank of Japan’s decision scheduled for Friday. The equipment manufacturing sector in Tokyo may respond to order figures (an increase in orders will support the shares of manufacturing companies).
• MOEX (Russia): The Russian MOEX index will start the week without internal drivers, concentrating on the mood of global markets and oil price dynamics. The absence of trading in the US indicates weak external benchmarks during the day, leading to potentially lower activity. The rouble and shares in the resource sector will be sensitive to Chinese statistics (which could impact oil quotes). Investors are also factoring in the corporate events of the week – in addition to the Sberbank report, they will monitor geopolitical news in the context of Davos.

Daily Summary: What to Watch Out for as an Investor

1. China Data: The publication of GDP and other metrics from China for Q4 will set the direction for commodity markets and growth-sensitive assets. Exceeding forecasts for the Chinese economy will bolster optimism in the markets, while weak figures could raise investor caution.
2. Start of the Davos Forum: Statements from global leaders at the WEF may inject volatility, especially if they address issues related to global trade, sanctions, or inflation. Investors should keep an eye on key comments from Davos to promptly react to potential shifts in global sentiment.
3. Inflation in Canada: The December CPI for Canada will reveal whether the trend of slowing price growth persists. The outcome is significant not only for the Canadian dollar and the Bank of Canada’s policy but also as part of the broader picture of inflation in developed countries by the end of 2025.
4. Market Activity: Due to the public holiday in the US, trading volumes on exchanges in Europe and Asia may be lower than usual. Investors should be prepared for possible price swings on Tuesday when American players return to the market to react to Monday’s news. Given the low liquidity on January 19, caution is advised: sudden price movements are possible even against a limited news backdrop.