Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Sunday, January 18, 2026. China's GDP, Asian Macrostats, and Global Context for Investors in World Markets.
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, global financial markets are expected to experience a relatively calm day. Major US and European exchanges are closed for the weekend (with the US also observing a long weekend in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day), meaning that new macroeconomic statistics and corporate reports from these regions are unavailable. However, investors' focus shifts to significant releases from Asia and various reports from large companies in emerging markets that may shed light on the state of respective industries and set the tone for trading sessions at the beginning of the new week. Sentiments among investors from the CIS and around the world remain cautious: key global indexes (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Moscow Exchange index (MOEX)) ended the previous week without sharp fluctuations, concentrating on future signals for their strategies.
USA (S&P 500 Index)
- The US markets will remain closed on January 18, and no new economic releases or corporate reports from S&P 500 companies are scheduled for this day. Investors are still digesting data from the previous week: the December Producer Price Index (PPI) in the US has slowed, confirming a trend toward easing price pressures, while industrial production slightly exceeded forecasts, indicating some stabilization in the manufacturing sector. The absence of news on the weekend and the upcoming holiday means that attention shifts to the immediate events of the new week—discussions will revolve around the prospects of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy following the recent rate cuts and the continuation of the corporate earnings season in the US.
Europe (Euro Stoxx 50 Index)
- Similarly, no significant events will arise in the European region on Sunday: markets are in a state of pause, and no financial reports from Euro Stoxx 50 companies will be released that day. European investors are leveraging the lull to prepare for the upcoming statistical reports at the beginning of the week. On Monday, the final inflation estimate for the Eurozone for December will be disclosed, which preliminary data suggests has decreased to just above 2% year-on-year—heightening expectations that the European Central Bank will refrain from tightening policy at its next meeting. Additionally, the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 19-23) kicks off on Monday, where global leaders and corporate heads will discuss global economic risks and outlooks—statements from this forum could shape the informational backdrop for European markets in the coming week.
China: Q4 2025 GDP and December Statistics
- In China, key macroeconomic indicators are scheduled for release on the morning of Monday. First, China's GDP growth for Q4 2025 will be published—moderate growth of approximately +4.8% year-on-year is expected, aligning with the dynamics of the previous quarter. This figure will indicate whether the world's second-largest economy has managed to maintain its expansion amid declining exports and limited stimuli. Secondly, data on industrial production and retail sales for December will be released concurrently. Predictions suggest that factory output in China continued its robust growth (around +4-5% y/y), while consumer spending remains subdued (with retail sales projected to grow by only ~1% y/y). The outcomes of the Chinese statistics will set the tone for Asian markets and raw material prices: stronger figures could enhance risk appetite and support prices for oil and metals, while weak reports would heighten concerns about a slowdown in the global economy.
Japan: Machinery Orders
- In Japan, statistics on machinery orders for November 2025 will be released in the night leading into January 19 (Monday). The previous month saw a noticeable decline in this indicator (-4% m/m in October), reflecting business caution regarding capital expenditures. Expected data for November may indicate a recovery in orders—preliminary estimates suggest growth of about +7% m/m, signaling a return to investments by companies. Although Japanese markets are closed on Sunday, the publication of this indicator prior to the Tokyo trading session can influence the dynamics of the Nikkei 225 index and the yen exchange rate: improved statistics could bolster investor confidence in Japan's economic stability and elevate demand for industrial sector stocks.
South Korea: Producer Price Index
- The Bank of Korea will present data on the Producer Price Index (PPI) for December. It is anticipated that production inflation in South Korea has remained moderate: estimates suggest PPI growth in December was around +2% year-on-year, only slightly accelerating from 1.7% in November. Moderate growth rates in producer prices indicate restrained pricing pressures in supply chains and may signal a stabilization of inflation trends in the region. Although the South Korean PPI rarely has a significant impact on global markets by itself, its dynamics are interesting as a leading indicator for consumer inflation and the state of the industrial sector of one of Asia's largest economies.
India: Major Quarterly Corporate Reports
- In India, the active corporate earnings season continues, with several major publicly traded companies announcing financial results for October–December 2025 (Q3 of the 2026 financial year). This includes Hindustan Zinc (mining sector), Punjab National Bank (one of the largest public banks), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (engineering and power equipment), and Havells India (consumer electronics). Investors are closely scrutinizing these reports to assess the state of key sectors in the Indian economy: for instance, PNB's results will indicate trends in lending and asset quality in the banking system, while Hindustan Zinc's figures will reflect the impact of metal prices on the profits of resource companies. The local market's response (BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indexes) to these reports will manifest on Monday and set the tone for other emerging markets.
Middle East and Other Markets: Reports from Qatar Islamic Bank, Almarai, Nanya, and Virbac
- Among other notable corporate events on Sunday, reports will be released from Qatar Islamic Bank (the largest Islamic bank in Qatar) and Saudi Arabia's Almarai (a leading dairy producer in the region) for Q4 2025. These reports will reveal the state of the Gulf region's financial sector and consumer demand in the Middle East against a backdrop of stable oil prices. In Asia, quarterly results from Taiwan's Nanya Technology—a large memory chip manufacturer—will serve as an indicator for the technology sector: investors are looking for signals of recovering demand for chips following a downturn. In Europe, special attention should be paid to the report from French pharmaceutical company Virbac, which will disclose revenue data for Q4. Although Virbac's report is locally significant, the aggregate of corporate news from various regions provides a comprehensive view of the state of global business at the start of the year.
Russia (MOEX Index)
- For the Russian market, January 18 is a holiday: there will be no trading on the Moscow Exchange, and no financial reports from the major companies (included in the MOEX index) will be published on this date. However, it remains important for Russian investors to monitor the external context, which is taking shape on Sunday. Above all, the results of Chinese statistics and corporate news from Asia will serve as benchmarks: a strengthening Chinese economy could support oil and metal prices, which is positive for shares of resource companies and the ruble. Oil prices are holding around $62–64 per barrel of Brent, and their relative stability over the weekend provides the Russian market with a breather. Nevertheless, any unexpected global statements or changes in the geopolitical situation could impact investor sentiment by the time the Moscow trading session opens on Monday.
Overall, this current Sunday is sparse in events; however, specific Asian releases and reports create a pivotal informational backdrop for global investors. It is advisable to pay special attention to the publication of China's GDP—its results will help assess the growth trajectory of the second-largest global economy and sentiments in the raw materials markets. Additionally, the commencement of the World Economic Forum will come into focus: starting from tomorrow, statements from world leaders in Davos could set the tone for regional markets. Any unexpectedly strong (or weak) data could recalibrate expectations regarding the further actions of central banks and influence appetite for risk. At the beginning of the new week, the combination of macroeconomic data and corporate earnings will define the dynamics of key indexes and the sentiments of investors from the CIS and around the world.
