Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of January 26 to February 1, 2026: US Federal Reserve Meeting, Eurozone GDP, China's PMI, and Earnings Reports from Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, ExxonMobil, and Other Major Companies. Analytical Overview for Investors.
The new week brings a packed calendar of macroeconomic events and corporate earnings reports from around the globe for investors. Central to this week's focus is the US Federal Reserve meeting, a series of key statistics (GDP, PMI, inflation) across various regions, and the peak of the quarterly earnings season for leading companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and Moscow Exchange. Notably, investor interest is piqued by a potential US government shutdown by the end of the week, preparations for the Chinese New Year celebrations in mid-February, and the commencement of a major airshow in India. Below is a detailed day-by-day overview highlighting what investors should pay attention to.
Monday, January 26
Macroeconomics: The week begins relatively quietly. In Europe, the January Ifo Business Climate Index for Germany is published – the first important indicator of the year for the EU's largest economy. An improvement in German business sentiment could support the euro and European stocks, while weak data could heighten concerns about slowing growth. In the US, the durable goods orders report for December is released. The dynamics of these orders will indicate the state of the manufacturing sector prior to the Fed’s decision: an increase in orders signals business confidence, bolstering expectations for the Fed's continued tightening, while a decline suggests corporate caution. Asian trading is limited – Australia has a public holiday (Australia Day), reducing volumes in Asian markets. Overall, Monday sets the tone for the week: there are few domestic drivers, and global markets are looking to external factors and expectations of larger mid-week events.
Corporate Reports: The earnings season is just gaining momentum. In the US, several industrial and financial companies will publish their results prior to market opening – including some steel manufacturers and insurance firms. For instance, reports from Steel Dynamics and Nucor will allow investors to assess margins and demand in the metallurgical sector, while insurer W. R. Berkley’s results will focus on underwriting profitability. In Europe, there are few major releases on Monday, but Ryanair stands out – the leading low-cost airline in Europe. Ryanair’s quarterly financial results will show passenger traffic dynamics and the impact of fuel prices; a strong report will support stocks in the tourism and aviation sectors in the region. On the Russian market (MOEX index), Monday is quiet – major Russian companies typically do not release annual results yet (anticipated in February-March), so investor attention shifts to external signals, oil prices, and the ruble exchange rate.
Tuesday, January 27
Macroeconomics: On Tuesday, focus shifts to the US and Asia. American investors will be monitoring the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board for January – an important leading indicator of domestic demand. A moderate decline in consumer sentiment is expected following the holiday season; an unexpectedly strong figure could support the market, while a weak one would intensify discussions about a slowdown in the US economy. Overall, markets are beginning to price in expectations ahead of the Fed meeting the following day, which may lead to cautious sentiment and minor volatility. In China, the work week continues as usual (Chinese New Year celebrations will begin only in February), but investors are assessing preliminary demand signals ahead of the holidays. In India, statistics on industrial production and the budget will be published, which are crucial for evaluating the prospects of the developing market, though the global impact of this data is limited.
Corporate Reports: Tuesday is rich in reports from major companies, particularly in the US. Prior to the American market's opening, quarterly results from several giants in the Dow Jones index will be released: Boeing will report its financial outcomes after resuming aircraft deliveries (investors will be looking for comments on production rates and new orders), while automotive giant General Motors will present its sales and profit figures for the fourth quarter. Simultaneously, reports from leading logistics operator UPS (a barometer of business activity and e-commerce) and health insurer UnitedHealth Group will be published. In Europe, attention will turn to LVMH in the afternoon – the world’s largest luxury conglomerate. LVMH’s report (expected revenue growth for 2025) will serve as an indicator of consumer demand in the premium segment and is particularly significant for the European stock market. Overall, this day will set the global tone: investors will compare the strengths and weaknesses of different sectors ahead of key events on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 28
Macroeconomics: Wednesday is the central day of the week concerning central bank policies. The two-day meeting of the US Federal Reserve (FOMC) concludes, and a decision regarding the US interest rate will be announced in the evening. It is expected that the Fed will keep the rate unchanged; however, the rhetoric in the statement and at the press conference from the Fed's chair could significantly impact market sentiment globally. Investors will be seeking hints regarding the future course of monetary policy, given the recent slowdown in inflation in the US. Simultaneously, the Bank of Canada is scheduled to meet – a rate hold is also anticipated there, and comments from the regulator regarding economic risks will be important. The evening will also focus on emerging markets: the Brazilian central bank (Copom) holds a rate meeting late on Wednesday, where a decision may be made on whether to continue the cycle of rate cuts from the current 15%. Moreover, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) begins a two-day meeting (the outcome will be announced tomorrow). In Asia, no significant publications are expected; however, attention is directed to Japan – investors are assessing fresh inflation data (in December, Japan's core inflation slowed to approximately 2.4% year-on-year) and awaiting the Bank of Japan's reaction to the recent meeting. Additionally, the Wings India 2026 airshow is opening in Hyderabad (January 28-31), attracting major aircraft manufacturers and airlines: this industry event may yield news about large contracts and collaborations affecting the aerospace sector's stock.
Corporate Reports: Mid-week brings the most anticipated batch of corporate earnings reports, especially in the technology sector. After the US market closes on January 28, three mega-corporations from the tech sector will present their results for the fourth quarter of 2025: Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook). Microsoft's report (released in the evening) will reveal the dynamics of cloud services and AI products – sustained growth in this business's profitability could support the entire tech-heavy Nasdaq. Tesla will report on electric vehicle deliveries and profitability – investors are watching how price cuts on some models have impacted margins. Meta will present results in the online advertising segment and user engagement, serving as a litmus test for the social media market amidst competition. In addition, several other S&P 500 companies are expected to report on Wednesday evening: for example, chip equipment manufacturer Lam Research and payment system Mastercard. Notably, Mastercard will publish its figures for the fourth quarter earlier on the same day, and projections regarding transaction volumes will be crucial for assessing consumer activity. Among the traditional sectors, Boeing's report (if not released earlier in the morning) is notable – comments regarding new orders and supply chain recovery are important for the manufacturing sector. In Europe, the morning of Wednesday features a release from Dutch ASML – a leading producer of semiconductor equipment: ASML's results will provide insight into the state of the global chipmaking cycle. Thus, Wednesday will be a day of high volatility: the combination of central bank decisions and tech giants' reports could lead to sharp movements in indices and currency rates.
Thursday, January 29
Macroeconomics: On Thursday, attention shifts to other regions and data. In the first half of the day, the Reserve Bank of South Africa (SARB) is expected to announce its interest rate decision: the market is anticipating a hold at current levels (given inflation near 3% and previous cuts), but the regulator's comments on South Africa's economic prospects could influence the rand's exchange rate and risk appetite in emerging markets. In Europe, there are no major regulatory decisions scheduled for this day (the ECB will hold a meeting next week), but some data may be published – for example, preliminary inflation estimates in certain Eurozone countries or consumer confidence indicators. Investors are also continuing to assess the outcomes of the Fed meeting: the second day after the announced policy often sees reassessment and correction of market movements. In the US, initial unemployment claims data is traditionally published on Thursdays – this timely labor market indicator will be of interest in the context of the Fed's rhetoric regarding the "cooling" economy. Also, by the end of the month, the US Treasury may announce updated plans for government debt issuance, impacting bond yields. Additionally, the political backdrop is worth noting: there is only one day until the US government's funding deadline, and news from Congress regarding the adoption of a budget or another temporary agreement (or the lack thereof) could be a significant factor for the markets.
Corporate Reports: On January 29, investors will be awaiting a new wave of major corporate releases on both sides of the Atlantic. The main event of the day will be Apple's financial results – the world's most valuable company will report after the US market's close. This is the first quarter of Apple's financial 2026 year, encompassing the holiday season, so a record revenue is expected: sales of new iPhone models and cloud business dynamics are particularly noteworthy. Any surprises from Apple could significantly impact the Nasdaq and the entire technology sector. Also, on Thursday evening, Visa – the largest payment system – will present its quarterly results, reflecting global consumer spending trends. Analysts expect growth in electronic payment transactions; investors will monitor Visa’s forecasts for 2026 in light of macro conditions. Prior to the Thursday trading session, Visa's competitor Mastercard will report (as noted, its data may come in early): together, the results of the two payment giants will provide a comprehensive picture of trends in cashless payments and tourism. In Europe, SAP (Germany) will report its results for 2025 early on Thursday – investors will evaluate the growth of SAP's cloud services and the outlook for the new year, which is crucial for the European tech sector. Additionally, the results from Nokia, published in the early day, will show demand for 5G telecom equipment, particularly given the competitive tension in the global communications market. On the Russian market, no major financial releases are expected on Thursday; however, corporate calendar events may take place: for instance, the company “All Tools” will disclose its production results for 2025, and developer “Samolyot” will hold an Investor Day, where it may provide forecasts for the real estate market. Thus, on Thursday, investors will receive important indicators from leaders in the technology and financial sectors, which will help adjust strategies before the week’s end.
Friday, January 30
Macroeconomics: The week ends with the publication of key statistical data, particularly in Europe and Asia. On Friday, a preliminary GDP estimate for the Eurozone for Q4 2025 will be released. Economists forecast weak growth or stagnation in the Eurozone economy at year-end – a result close to 0% quarter-on-quarter amid high ECB rates and energy uncertainty. Actual GDP figures will determine sentiment: better-than-expected growth will support the euro and European stocks, while negative dynamics will intensify discussions about a possible easing of the ECB's policy later in 2026. Detailed results from leading Eurozone countries (Germany, France) are also of interest as they frequently publish on the same day: special attention will be on Germany, where an industrial slump might have hindered growth. In Asia, early Friday will see the Tokyo inflation data for January published – the consumer price index for Tokyo serves as a leading indicator for all of Japan. Further annual inflation slowdowns are expected, approximately to ~2%, which could reinforce views on the temporary nature of the price spike in Japan and reduce pressure on the Bank of Japan regarding policy tightening. In the US, macro statistics may be limited due to recent budget disputes: the publication of the US GDP report for Q4 was originally scheduled for January 30 but depended on funding for statistical agencies. If the US government is not shut down by this date, data on personal income and spending for December (including PCE inflation) may be released – investors will assess the dynamics of consumer spending at year-end. Finally, political intrigue reaches its peak: on January 30, temporary US budget provisions expire. If Congress does not approve funding, a risk of partial government shutdown starting January 31 exists. Markets are particularly sensitive to this topic – any news on the progress of budget negotiations (or their collapse) during Friday could result in noticeable fluctuations in the dollar, Treasury bonds, and the broad stock market.
Corporate Reports: Friday wraps up the week on a powerful note with reports from major oil and gas companies and other corporations. Before the US markets open on January 30, quarterly results from two oil supermajors – ExxonMobil and Chevron – will be released. These reports are important not only for shareholders but also for the entire energy sector and commodity markets: high oil prices at the end of 2025 are expected to have allowed both corporations to showcase strong profits and cash flows. Investors are also awaiting updates on stock buyback programs and capital expenditure plans for 2026. Simultaneously, financial conglomerate American Express (AXP) will present its results – this Dow Jones issuer's report will reflect trends in premium consumer spending and credit card debt. Other reports expected on Friday morning include telecommunications giant Verizon, which will reveal its 5G subscriber growth figures and dividend forecasts; any surprises here will affect the entire communications sector. In the European market, the end of the week is relatively quiet in terms of new reports (most EU companies have either reported in previous days or are preparing for February). In contrast, significant operational data may emerge in the Russian market on Friday: Russian oil companies traditionally disclose production and export figures for the past quarter by the end of the month, which may impact oil and gas stock prices in Russia. After the markets close on Friday, no significant reports are anticipated – investors will be reflecting on a busy week and preparing for new data in the following one.
Weekend January 31 - February 1
Macroeconomics and Events: During the weekend, the markets take a pause; however, attention shifts to Asia. On Saturday, January 31, China will publish the official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industrial sector for January. This release occurs even on a weekend as it is a key indicator for the world's second-largest economy. A PMI value around the neutral level of 50 points is expected – maintaining this mark would confirm stabilization in China's industrial growth. An improvement in PMI above 50 would signal an acceleration in activity before the Spring Festival, while a drop below 50 could heighten concerns about weak domestic demand. On Sunday, February 1, no notable economic events are scheduled. Nevertheless, investors will be closely watching developments in Washington: if the budget crisis in the US is not resolved by Saturday, a partial federal government shutdown will commence on Sunday – markets will open the following week with this factor in mind. Additionally, a series of public holidays in Asia is approaching—the new month of February is nearing, and market participants will take into account the upcoming Chinese New Year (peak celebrations on February 17) and the associated extended breaks in Asian exchanges.
Conclusion: What Investors Should Consider
The week of January 26 to February 1, 2026, promises to be eventful, requiring investors to pay increased attention to the news backdrop. **Firstly**, the outcome of the US Federal Reserve meeting and accompanying comments will set the direction for global markets – even without a rate change, the tone of the statements regarding future inflation battles is crucial. **Secondly**, a series of macro reports (Eurozone GDP, China's PMI, Japan's inflation, US consumer confidence) will enable adjustments to forecasts for global growth: improved indicators will support the appetite for risk assets, while poor data will strengthen demand for safe-haven instruments (bonds, gold). **Thirdly**, the peak of the corporate earnings season continues: results from giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Meta, Visa, ExxonMobil, and others could prompt a capital reshuffling among sectors. It is important for investors not only to monitor whether earnings exceed or fall short of forecasts but also to read management's guidance for 2026 – many companies share expectations for the entire year, influencing their stock valuations. **Finally**, geopolitical and political factors cannot be overlooked: a potential US government shutdown at the week’s end poses a risk to credit ratings and confidence in the dollar, as well as an indicator of American lawmakers' ability to reach agreements. On the global stage, signs of stabilizing conditions (e.g., progress in peace talks concerning conflicts) or, conversely, new tensions will affect energy prices and currencies in EM. In anticipation of the Chinese New Year and the related breaks in operations on Asian exchanges, investors worldwide should timely rebalance their portfolios. In conclusion, the week promises volatility but also presents opportunities: sound analysis of economic trends and corporate reports will aid in making well-grounded investment decisions.
