Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Monday, February 9, 2026: ECB President's Speech, Geopolitical Factors, Global Earnings Season, and Investor Benchmarks.
United States
Economy: The new week in the U.S. begins without any major macroeconomic releases on Monday, as the publication of key indicators has been postponed due to the recent government shutdown. However, investors are watching for the January Consumer Inflation Expectations Index from the New York Fed, which will be released today—this indicator will help gauge household sentiment regarding inflation. Additionally, several Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak: comments from Fed Board members, including Christopher Waller and Raphael Bostic, are anticipated. The market will be looking for signals in their statements regarding the future direction of monetary policy, particularly in light of the pause in the interest rate hike cycle. On the political front, attention in the U.S. will be drawn to Congress's decision to gain access to sealed materials in the Jeffrey Epstein case. This step reflects lawmakers' efforts to achieve transparency and may resonate with the public, although it does not have a direct impact on investments. Simultaneously, the U.S. administration is active in foreign policy: Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting Armenia today and then Azerbaijan to discuss trade-investment and infrastructure projects in the South Caucasus region. These geopolitical moves indicate Washington's aim to strengthen economic ties and stability in this strategically important region, which indirectly interests global investors.
Corporate Reports (S&P 500, February 9): The U.S. earnings season continues today, with several companies releasing quarterly results before and after the market close. Prior to the opening, reports from several S&P 500 and mid-cap companies will be published, including Becton Dickinson (medical equipment), Apollo Global Management (alternative investments), and Cleveland-Cliffs (steel industry). Investors will evaluate these companies' revenue trends and forecasts, especially considering the impact of interest rates and demand for commodities. This morning, IT service company Kyndryl (an IBM spinoff) and the collaboration platform monday.com will also report, providing insight into the technology sector and corporate demand for services. After the main session closes, the focus will shift to the technology and industrial sectors: ON Semiconductor (a major chip manufacturer), Amkor Technology (contract semiconductor manufacturing), Goodyear (a leading tire manufacturer), and Arch Capital Group (insurance and finance) will release their results. Additionally, investors are expecting reports from the freelance platform Upwork and several other mid-sized companies. Of particular interest is ON Semiconductor, as its earnings and revenue forecasts will signal the state of the global semiconductor industry, a barometer for the tech sector and the stock market as a whole. Cumulatively, today’s corporate reports from the U.S. will help gauge whether companies maintain profit growth momentum amidst a mixed macroeconomic environment.
Europe
Economy: A key focus of the European agenda is ECB President Christine Lagarde's speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Lagarde will present a report on the ECB's activities and priorities for the upcoming year. She is expected to outline the further strategy for combating inflation and supporting the Eurozone economy. MEPs aim to urge the ECB to gradually unwind crisis measures established during the pandemic and restore more market mechanisms to financial markets, including revitalizing interbank lending instead of excessive dependence on ECB concessional loans. A significant topic of debate will be the digital euro; the European Parliament is likely to support initiatives for creating a digital currency while emphasizing the need to retain cash in circulation for financial inclusivity. Any comments from Lagarde regarding interest rate prospects, inflation, or the euro's value may influence investor sentiment in Europe. In the UK, the KPMG/REC labor market report for January is also set to be released, reflecting hiring conditions and the availability of skilled labor—this information is critical after the Bank of England last week unexpectedly decided to keep rates unchanged due to concerns about a weakening labor market. Furthermore, today, the second estimate of the Eurozone GDP for Q4 will be published: preliminary figures indicated a growth of +0.3% q/q, and confirmation or revisions of this value could adjust growth expectations for the region. Overall, today's economic events in Europe are creating a mixed background: moderate economic recovery amidst still elevated inflation and a cautious stance from regulators.
Corporate Reports (Euro Stoxx 50, Europe): The European earnings season is also gaining momentum, although Monday is not the busiest day for releasing results from major companies. Several corporations from the Euro Stoxx 50 index will present financial reports either today or in the coming days. Key focus could be TotalEnergies and Repsol (energy sector) with updated profit figures amidst fuel price volatility, as well as Societe Generale and other banks continuing the wave of bank reports in Europe (most large banks in France and Germany reported last week). Among today's key releases is the report from Dutch semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors (a member of the broad European index), which will indicate whether demand for chips from the automotive and electronics sectors in Europe and Asia remains strong. Investors are also watching Siemens data closely; although its comprehensive report is expected later, the company may share preliminary figures or order news, given recent signals of Germany's industrial recovery. Overall, European companies are currently demonstrating mixed results in this earnings season: strong exports and a weakened euro support manufacturers, while rising costs and interest rates put pressure on the financial sector and retail. Today's reports will help clarify this picture, although the bulk of European annual results will be concentrated in the second half of February.
Asia
Economy: Asian markets began the week on a positive note, receiving momentum from political and economic news. In Japan, the ruling coalition secured a decisive victory in the early elections for the House of Representatives held over the weekend. Investors welcomed the continuity of power under Prime Minister Sanae Takachi, as a stable parliamentary majority facilitates the government’s ability to implement economic reforms and stimulus measures. Against this backdrop, the Japanese Nikkei 225 continues to hover near multi-year highs, supported by inflows into export-oriented stocks. In China, attention is focused on upcoming inflation data: the CPI figures for January will be released tomorrow, with analysts forecasting a slowdown in annual inflation to around +0.4% (down from 0.8% in December). If these expectations are confirmed, it would signal a gradual easing of deflationary pressures in China as domestic demand recovers. Additionally, data on lending and property prices are expected: the housing price index is likely to register its 31st consecutive monthly decline, reflecting a prolonged correction in the real estate market. In other parts of Asia, secondary but indicative figures will be published: in India, the inflation level for January will be revealed (important for the prospects of policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India), and in Australia, data on business and consumer confidence will show strengthening sentiment after the lifting of lockdown restrictions. Overall, the Asian economic picture today combines political stability (Japan) and cautious optimism regarding inflation (China), which supports global investors’ interest in Asian assets.
Corporate Reports (Nikkei 225, Asia): In the Asia-Pacific region, it is the middle of the financial year for many companies, especially in Japan, where most corporations conclude their fiscal year on March 31. Nevertheless, several major Asian companies are reporting quarterly results today. In Tokyo, several companies listed in the Nikkei 225 will report after the market closes. Notable among them is SoftBank Corp. (telecommunications and internet services), which will announce its Q3 results for the fiscal year 2025. The SoftBank Corp. report is of interest to investors: the company's telecom business remains stable, but the market is awaiting comments on the prospects for 5G development and internet services, as well as the impact of yen fluctuations on profitability. Additionally, Japanese recruitment giant Recruit Holdings will release results—its quarterly revenue and EPS figures will serve as an indicator of the labor market's state and online recruitment not only in Japan but globally (its services include Indeed.com). In the tech sector, the report from Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (semiconductor materials manufacturer) is noteworthy—improvements are expected due to increased chip demand. In Seoul and Shanghai, Monday is relatively quiet: major Korean and Chinese companies have either reported earlier or will do so later this week. Thus, today's Asian corporate reports are specific yet significant: they indicate that notwithstanding external challenges, many Asian firms are maintaining steady growth. Investors in the region will pay particular attention to companies' forecasts regarding global demand and currency effects to adjust their investment strategies.
Russia
Economy: In Russia, the new business week begins amid the continuation of a tight monetary policy. Although there are no key macroeconomic indicator releases today, investors are looking ahead to the upcoming meeting of the Central Bank of Russia at the end of the week. The Bank of Russia will meet to decide on the interest rate, and market consensus expects the key rate to remain at 16.00%. This high rate reflects the regulator's ongoing struggle against inflation: recent data shows that annual inflation accelerated to 6.4% in January (up from 5.6% in December), significantly exceeding the target of 4%. Tightening monetary conditions have already started to impact economic activity—consumer demand is cooling, mortgage lending is slowing, and the government is compelled to devise support measures for certain sectors. The ruble remains relatively stable, trading around 79-80 against the U.S. dollar, supported by high oil prices and currency sales by exporters. There are no significant movements in the commodities market today: Brent crude is trading around $82 per barrel, and Russian energy exporters continue to generate solid revenue. Thus, the economic backdrop in Russia on February 9 is characterized by anticipation of important decisions from the Central Bank and a balancing act between inflation risks and the need to support economic growth.
Corporate Reports (MOEX, Russia): On the Moscow market, Monday is relatively calm in terms of corporate events—there are no major public companies releasing financial reports specifically on February 9. The Russian earnings season for 2025 is just beginning, and significant annual results from major issuers are yet to come. Investors are preparing for the influx of reports, which traditionally occurs in the second half of February and March. For example, leading banks (Sberbank, VTB), oil and gas giants (Gazprom, Lukoil), and metallurgical companies will soon release their results. Some corporations have already shared preliminary data: thus, steelmaker Severstal reported last week a nearly 80% decrease in net profit for 2025 and announced it would not pay dividends for Q4. This is a worrying signal from the metallurgical sector, where a combination of export duties, sanctions, and rising costs is significantly pressuring margins. Nevertheless, other sectors are expected to report more positive results—for example, retail chains and IT companies may benefit from a recovery in internal demand at the end of the year. The absence of major reports today gives investors time to analyze the data already published and prepare for key releases in the coming weeks. The overall sentiment is cautious: the market is closely monitoring corporate news to adjust stock portfolios on the Moscow Exchange based on fresh financial indicators and declared dividend policies.
Earnings Season in the U.S.: Results and Statistics
The U.S. stock market is in the midst of the quarterly earnings season, and overall results are pleasing investors. As of today, the majority of companies in the S&P 500 have reported their Q4 2025 earnings, demonstrating business resilience even amidst economic slowdowns. Approximately 76% of companies exceeded analyst forecasts for earnings per share (EPS), slightly below the average over the past five years (~78%) and in line with the decade average (~76%). About 73% of companies reported revenue above consensus expectations—this result even surpasses historical norms (averaging ~70% over five years and ~66% over ten years). This means that the proportion of positive sales surprises is at a high level, indicating sustained demand. The average earnings surprise is about +7–8%, close to the typical figures from previous years. These figures suggest that the earnings season in the U.S. has been successful, although growth in corporate profits is not as rapid as in past quarters. It should be noted that investors are comparing current results with record figures from past years, so even slight forebeating of forecasts is viewed positively. Notably, contributions to overall figures have come from the technology and communications sectors—many tech giants reported better than expected outcomes, supporting the entire S&P 500. About 40% of companies have yet to release their reports, but the trend is set: the American corporate sector, in general, continues to exceed profit and revenue forecasts, albeit with less margin than the previous year. For comparison, over the past five years, about three-quarters of companies beat EPS forecasts; hence the current season is statistically close to the norm. This fact instills cautious optimism—U.S. stock markets receive support from fundamental factors, partially offsetting macroeconomic uncertainties.
Global Outlook: Regional Trends
The picture of global markets at the beginning of the week is uneven but generally moderately optimistic. The U.S. continues to demonstrate resilience in corporate profits, even in the face of an economic slowdown—investors hope that a combination of strong reports and easing inflation will allow the Fed to pause interest rate hikes. The S&P 500 strengthened last week and is now consolidating, reacting to every new signal from the Fed and fresh data. Europe, for its part, is showing signs of gradual improvement in macro conditions: a revision of the Eurozone GDP for Q4 confirmed slight growth, and the ECB's political moves are aimed at balancing inflation control and economic support. However, European exchanges remain sensitive to comments from Christine Lagarde—any hints at a change in the ECB's course (for example, earlier rate cuts or, conversely, a prolonged pause) could trigger movements in the euro and a shift of capital between bonds and equities. Asia at the start of 2026 appears relatively stronger: the Japanese market is hitting records due to the combination of the Bank of Japan's soft monetary policy and political stability, while China's economy is gradually recovering from last year's constraints. A vital global indicator—commodity prices—remain stable: oil, metals, and food trade without sharp fluctuations, which reduces global inflation risks and supports emerging markets (including Russia). Russia, although partially isolated from global markets due to sanctions, remains integrated through commodity flows: the stability of energy prices favors its economy, while domestic issues (high inflation and rates) dampen the potential for growth in the Russian stock market. On a regional basis, it can be concluded that the U.S. and Asia are becoming growth engines in the eyes of investors, while Europe and Russia are more vulnerable links, each for their own reasons (the Eurozone is balancing between inflation and stagnation; Russia is juggling profitable exports and domestic financial difficulties). Overall, the sentiments are moderately positive: the MSCI World index remains close to its highest levels in recent months, and volatility (VIX) stays at reduced levels, indicating a relatively calm risk appetite. However, all regions face their own challenges—from U.S. inflation and European energy issues to Chinese credit risks—so interregional market performance differences may persist.
Conclusion: What Investors Should Focus On
In conclusion, investors from the CIS are advised to remain vigilant and take a measured approach to their strategies. The investment strategy at this stage should consider several key factors:
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Macroeconomic Signals: Keep an eye on important data scheduled for release in the coming days—in the U.S., this includes the postponed February 11 statistics on the labor market (Nonfarm Payrolls) and CPI inflation (February 13). These indicators have the potential to significantly impact global risk appetite and the direction of the dollar, which will reflect on all markets, including Russia. In Europe—Lagarde's speech outcomes and the second GDP estimate; in Asia—China's inflation figures. Market reactions to these economic events will indicate whether current sentiments are justified.
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Corporate Reports and Forecasts: The ongoing stream of quarterly results necessitates selectivity. Investors should pay special attention to companies that not only surpass earnings and revenue forecasts but also enhance projections for future periods. Such firms typically lead their industries and can drive stock indices higher. In the U.S., more than three-quarters of companies have posted results better than expected—this serves as a good benchmark for identifying market "stars." In Europe and Russia, the landscape is less homogeneous, so it's essential to understand the specifics of each sector. For instance, in Russia, metallurgists are underperforming due to market conditions, while oil and gas giants may pleasantly surprise due to exports. The earnings season is a time of heightened stock volatility; this can be leveraged through portfolio balancing by adding more global names with strong earnings reports (U.S. or Asian stocks) while cautiously approaching high-risk bets.
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Monetary Policy and Geopolitics: Central banks' rhetoric is currently as important as the numbers themselves. Investors should pay attention to regulators' comments—both from the U.S. Fed (several members have signaled readiness to pause the tightening cycle) and the ECB, Bank of England, and Bank of Russia. Any hints at a direction change can lead to a redistribution of capital flows between equities, bonds, and commodity assets. On the geopolitical front, there remain several potential risks: negotiations and high-ranking official visits (such as Vance's trip to the Caucasus) indicate diplomatic movement, but unforeseen events—like tensions flaring up anywhere—may always adjust market sentiments. Currently, there are no significant negative shocks in sight; however, diversification across regions and sectors remains the best protection against geopolitical surprises.
In summary, today's developments set the tone for the entire week: investors should assess the early signals and Monday news and be prepared for active maneuvers as new information emerges. Maintain a focus on fundamental indicators—profit, revenue, economic growth—and avoid being swayed by short-term noise. There is still much data and reporting ahead, and accurately interpreting this will help build an effective investment strategy, even amidst volatility. Remember that discipline and a long-term perspective are the best allies of investors in today's dynamic market. Happy trading!
