Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Thursday, February 12, 2026. UK GDP, US Unemployment and Housing Market Data, IEA Oil Report, EIA Gas Inventories, and Financial Results of Major Public Companies. Analysis for Investors.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, promises to be a busy day for global markets. Investors from the CIS countries should pay attention to both the key economic events of the day and the fresh data presented in financial reports from companies worldwide. Geopolitical meetings, macroeconomic releases, and corporate reports from major firms can significantly impact market sentiment and stock price movements. On such a day, it is important to remain calm: analyze incoming analytics and forecasts without succumbing to short-term fluctuations. Below, we will review the main events and reports of the day and provide recommendations for investors.
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NATO Defense Ministers Meeting in Brussels. On this day, NATO member ministers will gather at the organization's headquarters. They will discuss strengthening the Alliance's defense capabilities, increasing defense investments, and continuing support for Ukraine in the current geopolitical environment. The meeting will also review the implementation of decisions made at previous summits and prepare for the next NATO summit in July. Decisions made during this meeting may influence investor sentiment in the defense sector and the overall assessment of geopolitical risks in the markets.
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Emergency EU Summit on Strengthening the Internal Market. EU leaders will hold an informal meeting focused on strategies to bolster the EU single market. Key points of discussion will include measures to remove national barriers, improve conditions for investments and innovations, and consolidate companies in key sectors (digital technologies, energy, finance) to enhance Europe's competitiveness. In the current geopolitical climate, strengthening the internal market has been recognized as a priority task. The outcomes of this summit will set the direction for EU economic policy and may impact European stocks, particularly those dependent on regulation and trade conditions.
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UK GDP for Q4 2025. Early in the morning, a preliminary estimate of the UK economy's growth for October–December 2025 will be released (expected around 10:00 MSK). Economists predict a moderate change in GDP, which will indicate whether the UK economy has managed to avoid recession amid high interest rates and inflation. Simultaneously, industrial production figures for December will also be published. If the statistics fall short of expectations, concerns about economic slowdown will intensify, potentially affecting the pound's exchange rate and global investor sentiment.
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Monthly IEA Oil Report. At 12:00 MSK, the International Energy Agency will publish an updated overview of the global oil market. Investors will seek updated forecasts for demand and supply, assessments of OPEC+ production, and trends in global inventories. Any signals of a supply shortage or a surplus of oil could have an immediate impact on commodity prices. For CIS countries, major oil exporters, the outlook of this report is particularly crucial, as oil remains a key source of export revenue and influences inflation expectations.
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US Unemployment Data (Initial Jobless Claims). As usual on Thursdays, the US will release weekly statistics on initial unemployment claims (16:30 MSK). This timely indicator reflects trends in the labor market: whether the number of new unemployed is rising or falling. The forecast is approximately 220,000 claims, close to pre-crisis normal levels. A decrease in claims will bolster confidence in the labor market's resilience but may compel the Fed to maintain a hawkish stance to curb inflation. Conversely, an unexpected rise in unemployment would temper the regulator's hawkish sentiments while raising concerns about consumer demand in the economy.
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US Existing Home Sales. Concurrently, the Existing Home Sales data for January will be published, indicating sales volumes in the US secondary housing market. This indicator is vital for assessing the health of the American housing sector and is sensitive to mortgage rates. A slight uptick in transactions is expected compared to the autumn months, although high mortgage rates have continued to deter buyers. The state of the housing market is important for banks (mortgage lending) and construction companies. An increase in sales suggests consumer confidence, while a decline indicates household caution and the pressure of high prices (including utilities) on their budgets.
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US Natural Gas Inventories (EIA Report). At 18:30 MSK, the US Energy Information Administration will release its weekly data on natural gas inventories. Although this is a routine report, traders pay close attention to it during winter as a barometer of supply and demand balance for gas. A significant decrease in inventories for the week could push gas prices higher, which would be positive for shares of energy companies. For CIS investors monitoring the gas market in Europe and Russia, this data is of indirect interest: the dynamics of American inventories through price arbitrage influence global gas quotes and thus export revenues for the energy sector.
Corporate Reports from Major Companies. USA: Quarterly Reporting from Market Leaders
Before the US Market Opens
Even before the major session begins in the US, a series of diverse companies will release their reports. Among them are Nebius Group (a young tech firm; still expected to report a loss of about $0.5 per share, although revenue is growing due to a focus on cloud services and AI), casino operator Melco Resorts (expected to report a profit of approximately $0.1 per share amid the recovery of the gambling sector in Macau), and investment conglomerate Brookfield. Other companies reporting include aircraft parts manufacturer Howmet Aerospace, iconic shoe brand Crocs, and the recently listed sandal maker Birkenstock. Additionally, financial results will be presented by animal pharmaceutical company Zoetis, corporate technology developer Zebra Technologies, and energy giants PG&E and American Electric Power. These diverse reports will reflect the condition of multiple sectors – from consumer demand (shoe sales, entertainment) to industry and energy. Investors will assess whether the companies' profit forecasts are met and what signals regarding risks or new opportunities their management will convey in comments.
After the US Market Closes
In the evening, after trading closes in the US, the peak of the reporting season will commence. Several major technology and internet companies will release their quarterly results. Among them is Coinbase Global, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, expected to report a sharp decline in profit to around $1 per share (against approximately $4.7 a year earlier) due to falling trading volumes in the crypto market. Social platform Pinterest will also report: analysts predict revenue growth of about 15% year-on-year, with particular attention paid to user base dynamics and advertising revenues. Software developers JFrog (B2B platform for DevOps) and Toast (fintech solutions for the restaurant industry) will also be in the spotlight. Their results will provide insights into the state of digital advertising markets, cloud services, and technologies for small businesses.
Additionally, investors are looking forward to results from companies in the real economy sector. Arista Networks, a network equipment manufacturer, is likely to show strong growth due to demand from data centers and AI infrastructure. Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian will disclose whether it has managed to ramp up production of electric pickups and reduce losses; the market is focused on whether the company will confirm plans to increase vehicle production in 2026. In the entertainment and consumer services sector, sportsbook platform DraftKings will report (key metrics include an increase in the number of customers and progress towards profitability), and coffee chain Dutch Bros will help gauge how inflation is affecting consumer spending on small daily indulgences. Major giants from various industries will also attract attention: Applied Materials (a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer, serving as a barometer for the global semiconductor industry) and travel services Airbnb and Expedia Group. Their financial results will indicate how resilient demand for travel and accommodation bookings remained at the end of 2025. Such a wide array of corporate reporting – from high-tech and crypto/fintech to industrial companies and retail – may provoke significant volatility in individual stocks as well as entire sector indices. It is crucial for investors to focus not just on actual profit figures but also on management's statements regarding prospects: the tone of forecasts for 2026 (cautious or optimistic) often drives the most substantial market reactions.
Europe: Reports from Corporations in Euro Stoxx 50
Europe’s February 12 is similarly packed with corporate reporting season events, especially among companies from the top Euro Stoxx 50 index. Financial results will be released by consumer sector leaders – Hermès and L’Oréal. Their reports will reveal if there is sustained high demand for luxury goods and cosmetics, particularly from Asian buyers. Siemens and Mercedes-Benz will present data on the industrial and automotive sectors, serving as indicators of the state of European manufacturing amid high energy prices.
Additionally, reports are anticipated from multinational giants Unilever (everyday consumer goods) and AB InBev (the world's largest brewing conglomerate). Their figures and comments will demonstrate how inflation has affected company costs and consumer behaviors. Fintech provider Adyen (reflecting e-commerce trends) and Deutsche Börse (a market operator sensitive to financial market activity) will also be in focus. Overall, analysts predict a moderate decline in aggregate profits of European companies in the fourth quarter, thus investors will carefully analyze any signs of improvement or deterioration in business trends reflected in these reports.
Asia: Reports from Nikkei 225 Companies
On Asian markets, the main event will be the financial results release from several large Japanese corporations. Primarily, investors are waiting for the report from SoftBank Group – an investment tech conglomerate that will provide data for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year. SoftBank's results will reveal how its portfolio of startups and the Vision Fund is performing amid global market volatility. Estimates suggest the company may report around 8-10% growth in operating profit year-on-year; the market is also looking forward to forecasts updates from SoftBank's management. Additionally, several manufacturing giants from the Nikkei 225, such as automaker Toyota and electronics giant Sony, will report quarterly results. Their numbers will reflect demand conditions in Asia and the impact of currency fluctuations (the yen's exchange rate) on profits. Overall, strong reports from Japan could support optimism in Asian exchanges, while disappointments may heighten investor caution in the region.
Russia: Operational Metrics of Companies
On the Russian market, several corporate news items are expected on February 12, primarily in the format of operational metrics rather than complete financial statements. For instance, Aeroflot will release passenger statistics for January 2026, providing insights into demand trends for air travel and flight occupancy post-New Year holidays. Production reports from some oil, gas, and metallurgical enterprises for the first month of the year are also awaited – investors will evaluate production volumes, exports, and the impact of commodity prices on these companies' revenues. There will be few direct financial reports (IFRS) for Q4 from major Russian issuers on this day (most are published later), but operational data will help gauge how key economic sectors have started in 2026. Any significant deviations (for example, a sharp increase in production or a decline in domestic market sales) could affect the stock prices of these companies on the Moscow Exchange.
This day concludes with a truly busy agenda combining significant economic events and a wave of corporate releases. This combination of factors creates both opportunities and risks for market participants. Positive surprises (such as stronger-than-expected macro statistics or stellar company earnings) could bolster confidence in the economy and drive stocks higher. However, disappointments (weak data or worse-than-expected company results) could, on the contrary, amplify volatility and lead to sell-offs in the stock market.
For CIS investors, maintaining a diversified portfolio and avoiding panic from isolated news is crucial. A sound strategy should take into account long-term trends – inflation dynamics, unemployment levels, global oil and gas demand – when assessing short-term market fluctuations. By the end of the day, it is essential to analyze whether analysts' predictions and companies’ forecasts have materialized to adjust investments accordingly if necessary. By staying true to their chosen strategy and wisely assessing risks, investors can benefit from the received information and confidently move forward.
