Key Economic Events on January 2, 2026: PMI for Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. Which exchanges are closed due to the New Year, where trading is taking place, and what investors should pay attention to at the start of the trading year.
Friday, January 2, 2026, is expected to be relatively calm on global financial markets due to the ongoing New Year holidays. Most major exchanges remain closed, while investors will focus on the release of global Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMI) for the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for Friday are PMI figures from Australia, India, Russia, Germany, the Eurozone, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. These statistical releases will provide the first insights into the state of the global economy in the new year. In the corporate sector, there are few notable reports as major financial results from large companies are expected later in January and February. However, it is important to pay attention to dividend announcements and individual corporate events. At the beginning of the week, markets will resume activity following the holidays, which will influence the dynamics of indices. Overall, investors should be prepared for reduced liquidity and increased volatility – even minor news can trigger sharp 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 on January 2 (after the holiday on January 1).
- Russian markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is closed on January 2 for the holiday, while the St. Petersburg Exchange is trading as usual.
- Australian markets are open for trading, but main financial releases are scheduled for the morning (PMI, see above).
Global Markets and Indices
- USA (S&P 500): Markets will resume trading after the holidays, with investors monitoring PMI and anticipating quarterly reports from companies later in the month.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Major European exchanges will be closed on Friday; indicators will be guided by PMI from Germany and the Eurozone, as well as oil prices and euro/dollar exchange rates.
- 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 starts the new year without major data.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): There is no trading on MOEX for now; global oil prices and geopolitical factors will continue to exert pressure on the ruble. Trading on major platforms is planned to resume in the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Due to the holidays, there are virtually no major reports on Friday. Many companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will release results later in January. Smaller tech players continue their reporting schedule: for example, Taylor Devices (NASDAQ:TAYD) is expected to report for Q3 fiscal 2026 (end of December 2025).
- Some companies are announcing dividends as the year begins. For instance, NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) announced a dividend of $0.52 with a record date of 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 investors.
- Overall, the earnings season has yet to commence. Investors remain focused on external indicators and statements from central bank leaders (although no meetings of the Fed or ECB are scheduled for this week).
Day's Highlights: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. New Year holidays reduce trading volumes. With limited activity, even minor news can cause sharp market movements. It is important for investors to manage risks and approach trades thoughtfully ahead of the full resumption of trading.
- PMI Releases. The PMI indices (Australia, India, Europe, USA, etc.) will serve as the first major economic signals of the new year. Increases or declines in PMI will indicate the pace of economic activity and may influence investor sentiment and exchange rates.
- Corporate Sector. While there are few major reports today, a series of publications from large companies (tech giants, banks, energy companies) is expected by the end of January. Early signals will be given, among others, by dividend cut-offs (see NetApp, AmEx) and reports from specific sectors.
- Oil and Ruble. Oil prices remain a key driver for the ruble market. Investors should monitor the energy market: even minor changes in oil prices can significantly impact the Russian currency and the MOEX index.
- Global Background. Attention should also be paid to political news and trade announcements (e.g., on tariffs or geopolitics) on Tuesday and Wednesday, which may set the tone for markets in the first week of the year. In the current environment, conservative strategies and diversification remain a priority.
This brief overview provides key orientations for investors on January 2, 2026. Keep a close eye on the release of statistics, the dynamics of major indices, and corporate news to make informed investment decisions.
