Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Australia CPI, Germany GDP, Eurozone Inflation, EIA Oil Inventories, and Earnings Reports of Major Public Companies in the US, Europe, and Asia. Analysis for CIS Investors.
- Inflation and Rates: Australian CPI and Eurozone CPI serve as direct triggers for rate expectations and growth stock evaluations.
- European Growth: Germany's GDP helps gauge the resilience of the Eurozone core economy and the risk of a "soft landing."
- Oil and Inflation Expectations: US oil inventories (EIA) often reflect in WTI/Brent prices and inflation expectations.
- Corporate Reports: A high concentration of earnings reports in the US (including S&P 500 constituents) has the potential to "overpower" the macro backdrop.
Markets: Where Volatility is Likely
The day is primarily about re-evaluating discount rates. If the CPI strengthens expectations for a more hawkish policy, pressure tends to arise in the tech sector and in "growth stocks"; if CPI is softer, risk assets and long bonds receive support. Oil introduces a separate channel of influence through inflation expectations and the energy sector.
- FX: AUD after Australian CPI, EUR after the European block, USD through oil and yields.
- Indices: Focus on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq due to heavy reporting in the evening; in Europe — Euro Stoxx 50; in Asia — Nikkei 225 reacts through global risk appetite.
- Russia: The ruble, OFZs, and stocks on MOEX are sensitive to weekly inflation and rate expectations.
Economic Calendar: Events and Timing in Moscow
| Time (MSK) | Country/Region | Event | Key Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03:30 | Australia | CPI (January) | AUD, bonds, Asian indices |
| 10:00 | Germany | GDP (detailed data for Q4) | EUR, rates, European stocks |
| 13:00 | Eurozone | CPI / HICP (January, detailed) | EUR, yield curve, banks/insurance |
| 18:30 | USA | EIA Oil Inventories | oil, energy, inflation expectations |
| 19:00 | Russia | Weekly CPI | RUB, OFZ, rate expectations |
Australia: CPI and RBA Policy Expectations
The publication of Australia's CPI during the early Asian session often sets the tone for AUD and rate expectations. The dynamics of "core" inflation and the breadth of price growth are crucial for a global portfolio: the broader the pressure, the more challenging it becomes for the market to factor in a soft rate trajectory, and the higher the sensitivity of growth stocks to yields.
Europe: Germany's GDP and Eurozone Inflation
In Europe, investors are assessing the balance between "growth vs inflation." Detailed data on Germany's GDP helps evaluate demand dynamics and industrial resilience, while Eurozone CPI solidifies (or changes) rate expectations and ECB rhetoric. As a result, the most sensitive assets include: EUR, yields and credit spreads, banks and insurance, as well as export-oriented companies in the Euro Stoxx 50.
USA: Oil, EIA, and Market Effects
EIA data quickly reflects in WTI/Brent prices and can influence inflation expectations, especially when the market is concurrently assessing the trajectory of rates. In this "global environment," it serves as an essential bridge between the macro block (CPI) and corporate earnings: rising oil prices amplify the inflationary channel, while falling prices reduce pressure on yields.
Key details to watch for in the EIA report include:
- Crude oil and inventories in Cushing (signal for the physical market);
- Refinery throughput and utilization changes (demand from the real sector);
- Gasoline and distillates as proxies for household demand and logistics.
Corporate Earnings: Who is Reporting This Day
Below is a list of major public companies reporting earnings on February 25, 2026 (or hosting results/calls on this day). For convenience, tickers and sessions (pre-market / post-market) are noted. In the US, this is particularly crucial: volatility often comes right after the market closes and impacts the following day in Asia and Europe.
If you are building a portfolio based on indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, or MOEX), the logic is simple: tech reports set the risk mode, retail confirms consumer health, while banks and utilities signal capital costs and dividends.
US and America: Pre-Market
- Lowe’s (LOW), The TJX Companies (TJX), Circle (CRCL), Hut 8 (HUT), Photronics (PLAB), ODDITY Tech (ODD), Valens Semiconductor (VLN), Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (BXSL), Trinity Capital (TRIN), Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS).
US and America: Post-Market
- NVIDIA (NVDA), Salesforce (CRM), Snowflake (SNOW), Synopsys (SNPS), The Trade Desk (TTD), Agilent (A), Pure Storage (PSTG), Nutanix (NTNX), Nu Holdings (NU), IonQ (IONQ), Array Technologies (ARRY), Paramount Skydance (PSKY).
Europe and the UK
- HSBC (HSBA), Diageo (DGE), Iberdrola (IBE), Novonesis (NVO), Eiffage (FGR), Fnac Darty (FNAC), Aston Martin Lagonda (AML).
Asia
- Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (O39 / OVCHY), Delta Electronics (2308.TW).
Russia
- VTB (VTBR): Annual IFRS report (as per issuer's schedule).
Investor Focus by Day's End
- Check for "tight spots" in timing: Macro releases in Europe and EIA come out before the US earnings block; risk positions are best planned in advance.
- Divide risk into two windows: (a) CPI and rates during the day, (b) Earnings reports from major tech companies at night MSK.
- Monitor guidance: Forecasts and management commentary often outweigh the actual quarterly profit figures.
- Keep an eye on oil: An unexpected EIA surprise can intensify movements in inflation expectations and indices.
- For RUB-denominated portfolios: Weekly CPI and VTB reports are key local catalysts for MOEX.
- Don't overlook liquidity: When earnings are published after the US market close, spreads and gaps at the next day's opening occur more frequently than usual.
February 25, 2026, is a busy day for global markets, where the economic calendar focusing on CPI and GDP meets dense corporate earnings. The most likely "points" for volatility expansion are during the middle of the European session and after the US market closes.
