Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026: Chinese PMI Index, Budget Crisis in the USA, and Pause in Corporate Reporting Season. Analytical Overview for Investors.
Brief Overview of the Day for Investors
The last day of January is relatively calm for global markets but contains significant signals. The morning's PMI data from China is in the spotlight, providing insight into the state of manufacturing and the service sector at the beginning of 2026. Concurrently, the USA has avoided the threat of a shutdown: Congress has passed a temporary budget resolution, alleviating immediate political risk. The absence of major corporate reports this Saturday offers market participants the opportunity to reflect on the month's outcomes and prepare for the new trading phase.
Key Economic Events (Time - MSK)
- 04:30 - China: January PMI indices for Manufacturing, Services, and Composite.
USA: Budget Compromise Eliminates Shutdown Threat
The United States has avoided a suspension of federal government operations. At the last moment, Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed on funding: a spending package was passed extending the operations of most departments until the end of September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has received a temporary funding extension for several weeks, reflecting the compromise nature of the agreement.
For the markets, this news has brought relief: the immediate risk of a shutdown has been eliminated, and economic consequences have been minimized for now. Investors have reacted positively to the prevention of a budget crisis since a shutdown could have reduced the US GDP and heightened volatility in the equity markets. However, political uncertainty has not completely disappeared: ongoing negotiations regarding the budget and long-term expenditures keep tensions that could impact business confidence and the exchange rate of the dollar.
China: January PMI Reflects Economic Trends
The official business activity indices (PMI) from China for January show continued moderate growth at the beginning of the year. The PMI index for the manufacturing sector is projected to be around the critical mark of 50 points, separating growth from contraction (December's value was approximately 50.1). The actual value around 50.2 points signals weak expansion in China's industry, indicating gradual stabilization after the fluctuations of late 2025. The PMI index for the non-manufacturing sector (services and construction) also remains just above 50 points, reflecting continued cautious optimism in the services sector.
For global markets, data from China serves as an early barometer of the health of the world’s second-largest economy. Maintaining the PMI above 50 points instills moderate optimism: demand in China is not decreasing, supporting commodity prices and export revenues. However, growth rates remain close to zero, so any decline in the PMI could exacerbate concerns about slowing economic growth in Asia and globally. Investors in emerging markets and commodity markets are closely monitoring Chinese indicators, comparing the dynamics of manufacturing and services with expectations for exports, raw material consumption, and the profits of multinational companies.
Global Markets: January Summary
January 2026 has been a mixed month for key stock indices. The American S&P 500 finishes the month with moderate gains: strong reports from several tech giants supported the US market, offsetting concerns surrounding inflation and Fed rates. The European Euro Stoxx 50 showed similar movement, managing slight growth amid resilient eurozone economic data. In the Asia-Pacific region, sentiments were more restrained: Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broader MSCI Asia index closed January near zero marks, reflecting investor caution in light of mixed macro indicators from China and actions by the Bank of Japan.
For the Russian market, January also passed relatively calmly. The MOEX index fluctuated within a narrow range, responding to changes in oil prices and overall risk appetite in emerging markets. Overall, the outcomes of the first month of 2026 indicate that global investors are balancing hopes for a soft landing of the global economy and concerns regarding inflation risks. The further dynamics will largely depend on new data and corporate results over the coming weeks.
Corporate Reports: All Major Public Companies Reporting on January 31, 2026
No financial reporting from major companies is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, as this day falls on a weekend for global markets. There are no reports from "blue chip" companies in the US (S&P 500 index) or Europe (Euro Stoxx 50). This holds true for Asian exchange giants as well as issuers on the MOEX—investors in these regions have nothing to evaluate on the corporate front today.
The pause in the corporate reporting season allows for an analysis of results that have been reported and preparation for a new wave of releases expected in early February. In the USA, the upcoming week is set to feature reports from several technology and consumer giants, including Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.com. These releases are capturing market attention. In Europe, investors will monitor the performance of industrial conglomerates and banks. Thus, today’s break provides an opportunity to assess overall trends in the corporate sector—revenue growth, profitability, management forecasts—before new data begins to impact stock quotes in the coming days.
What Investors Should Focus On
- China's PMI data: Compare actual manufacturing and service indices with the critical threshold of 50 points and forecasts. A stronger-than-expected PMI could boost sentiment in commodity markets and support shares of commodity companies, while weak figures may heighten concerns regarding demand in Asia.
- Budget situation in the USA: Keep track of developments following the temporary compromise. The absence of a shutdown alleviates short-term risk, but discussions around the budget and national debt will continue. Any new disagreements or threats could again heighten volatility in the dollar and US government bonds.
- Corporate reporting season: Use the weekend pause to assess key insights from already published quarterly reports. Pay attention not only to earnings figures but also to companies' forecasts regarding demand, margins, and capital expenditures for 2026; especially for energy and banking sectors where expectations regarding rates and the lending cycle are critical. This will help adjust sector expectations before the new wave of reporting.
- Preparation for the new week: Based on January outcomes and current news, formulate an action plan for the beginning of February. Investors from CIS countries should consider the international backdrop: data from China and the resolved budget issue in the USA may set the tone for trading on the Moscow Exchange on Monday. Discipline in risk management is important: balance the portfolio considering global factors and be prepared for potential index fluctuations.
In conclusion: Saturday, January 31, provides markets with a breather for reassessing the situation. Despite the limited number of events, the signals received—from the Chinese PMI to the American budget compromise—form the foundation for sentiment at the beginning of February. Investors can benefit from using this day for analysis and preparation to meet the new trading week with a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic and corporate trends.
