Key Economic Events for January 2, 2026: PMI Releases from Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. Where Markets are Closed for the New Year, Where Trading is Ongoing, and What Investors Should Pay Attention to as Trading Year Begins.
Friday, January 2, 2026, is expected to be relatively calm in the global financial markets due to continuing New Year holidays. Most major exchanges remain closed, and investors will focus on the releases of global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data for the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for release on Friday are PMI figures for Australia, India, Russia, Germany, the Eurozone, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. These statistical releases will provide initial guidance on the state of the global economy in the new year. In the corporate sector, there are few significant reports, as major financial results from large companies are expected later in January-February. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to dividend announcements and individual corporate events. Markets will resume activity early next week after the holidays, which will determine the dynamics of the indices. Overall, investors should be prepared for reduced liquidity and heightened volatility—even minor news can trigger sharp market 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 US and Canada return to regular schedules on January 2 (following the holiday on January 1).
- Russian markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) will be closed on January 2 for the holiday, while the Saint Petersburg Exchange will operate normally.
- Australian markets are open for trading, but major financial releases are published in the morning (PMI, see above).
Global Markets and Indices
- USA (S&P 500): Markets will resume trading after the holidays, with investors watching PMI data and anticipating quarterly company reports towards the end of the month.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Major European exchanges will be closed on Friday, with indicators focusing on PMI data from Germany and the Eurozone, as well as oil prices and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- 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 segment enters the new year without major data.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): No trading on MOEX at this time, with pressure on the ruble continuing from global oil prices and geopolitics. Trading on major platforms is expected to resume during 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. Some smaller tech players are continuing their reporting schedule: for instance, Taylor Devices (NASDAQ:TAYD) is expected to report for Q3 of fiscal 2026 (end of December 2025).
- Some companies are announcing dividends as the year begins. For example, NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) declared 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.
- In general, the earnings season has yet to begin. Investors are focused on external indicators and statements from central bank officials (although there are no Federal Reserve or ECB meetings scheduled for this week).
Day's Summary: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. New Year holidays reduce trading volumes. With limited activity, even minor news can lead to sharp market shifts. It is crucial for investors to manage risks and approach trades thoughtfully ahead of the full resumption of trading.
- PMI Releases. PMI indices (from Australia, India, Europe, the USA, and others) will be the first major economic signals of the new year. An increase or decrease in PMI will indicate the pace of economic activity and may impact investor sentiment and exchange rates.
- Corporate Sector. Although there are few major reports today, a series of publications from major companies (tech giants, banks, energy companies) is expected by the end of January. Early signals will be provided particularly through dividend cutoffs (see NetApp, AmEx) and reports from specific sectors.
- Oil and the Ruble. Oil prices remain a key driver for the ruble market. Investors should monitor the energy market closely: even small fluctuations in oil prices can significantly affect the Russian currency and the MOEX index.
- Global Background. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it is also important to pay attention to political news and trade announcements (for example, regarding tariffs or geopolitics), which could set the mood for markets in the first week of the year. In the current environment, conservative strategies and diversification remain priorities.
This brief overview provides key pointers for investors on January 2, 2026. Be sure to keep an eye on statistical releases, the dynamics of major indices, and corporate news to make informed investment decisions.
