Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of January 26 to February 1, 2026: FOMC Meeting, Eurozone GDP, China PMI, and Reports from Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, ExxonMobil, and Other Major Companies. Analytical Overview for Investors.
A new week brings a rich calendar of macroeconomic events and corporate reports from around the globe for investors. The focal points include the FOMC meeting in the United States, several important statistics (GDP, PMI, inflation) across various regions, and the peak of the quarterly earnings season for leading companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and Moscow Exchange. Significant interest is also directed towards the potential U.S. government shutdown by the end of the week, preparations for the celebration of the Chinese New Year in mid-February, and the opening of a major airshow in India. Below is a detailed day-by-day overview of what investors should pay attention to.
Monday, January 26
Macroeconomics: The week begins relatively calmly. In Europe, the January Ifo Business Climate Index for Germany is published – the first significant indicator of the year for the largest economy in the EU. An improvement in German business sentiment may support the euro and European stocks, while weak data could heighten concerns about slowing growth. In the U.S., the Durable Goods Orders report for December is released. The dynamics of these orders will indicate the state of the manufacturing sector ahead of the FOMC decision: an increase in orders signals business confidence and will bolster expectations for a further tightening by the Fed, while a decline would indicate caution among companies. Trading in Asia takes place in a truncated mode – Australia observes a public holiday (Australia Day), resulting in lowered volumes across Asian markets. Overall, Monday sets the tone: there are few internal drivers, and global markets are mainly influenced by external factors and the anticipation of larger mid-week events.
Corporate Reports: The earnings season is just gaining momentum. In the U.S., several industrial and financial companies will report before the market opens, including some steel producers and insurance firms. Notably, reports from Steel Dynamics and Nucor are expected, allowing investors to assess margins and demand in metallurgy, alongside W. R. Berkley’s results focusing on underwriting profitability. In Europe, there are few major releases on Monday, but Ryanair’s report – a leading European low-cost carrier – stands out. Ryanair’s quarterly financial results will reflect passenger traffic trends and the impact of fuel prices; a strong report could support stocks in the leisure and airline sectors in the region. In Russia, on the MOEX index, Monday is quiet as large Russian corporations typically do not disclose annual results yet (expected in February–March), thus investors’ attention shifts to external signals, oil prices, and the ruble exchange rate.
Tuesday, January 27
Macroeconomics: On Tuesday, the focus shifts to the U.S. and Asia. American investors are looking at the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board for January – an important leading indicator of domestic demand. A moderate decline in consumer sentiment is expected post-holiday season; an unexpectedly strong reading could support the market, while weak data may intensify discussions about a slowdown in the U.S. economy. To some extent, markets begin to price in expectations for the FOMC meeting the following day, which may lead to cautious sentiment and slight volatility. In China, the workweek continues as usual (celebrations for the Chinese New Year begin only in February), but investors are assessing preliminary signals of demand ahead of the holidays. In India, statistics on industrial production and the budget are published, which are crucial for evaluating the prospects of the emerging market, although the global impact of this data is limited.
Corporate Reports: Tuesday boasts a wealth of earnings reports from major companies, particularly in the U.S. Before the American market opens, quarterly results from several Dow Jones giants will be released: Boeing will report financial outcomes following the resumption of aircraft deliveries (investors await comments on production rates and new orders), while automotive titan General Motors will present its sales and profit figures for the fourth quarter. Concurrently, logistics operator UPS (a barometer of business activity and e-commerce) and health insurer UnitedHealth Group will publish reports. In Europe, the focus will be on the annual results from LVMH – the world’s largest luxury conglomerate. LVMH’s report (expected to show revenue growth for 2025) will serve as an indicator of consumer demand in the premium segment and is particularly important for the European equity market. This day sets a global background: investors will compare strengths and weaknesses across different sectors ahead of key events on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 28
Macroeconomics: Wednesday is the central day of the week in terms of central bank policy. The two-day FOMC meeting concludes, and the decision regarding the U.S. interest rate will be announced in the evening. It is expected that the Fed will keep rates unchanged; however, the rhetoric in the statement and the press conference from the Fed Chair may significantly influence market sentiments worldwide. Investors will be looking for clues about future monetary policy directions while considering the slowdown in inflation in the U.S. in recent months. Simultaneously, the Bank of Canada is also meeting, where a rate hold is anticipated, and comments on economic risks will be vital. In the evening, the focus will also be on emerging markets: Brazil's central bank (Copom) is having a late-night meeting where a decision regarding whether to continue the rate-cutting cycle from the current 15% may be made. Furthermore, in South Africa, a two-day meeting of the Reserve Bank begins (the outcome will be announced tomorrow). In Asia, there are no significant publications, but attention turns to Japan – investors assess the latest data on inflation (in December, core inflation in Japan slowed to approximately 2.4% year-on-year) and anticipate the Bank of Japan’s reaction following its recent meeting. An aviation show, Wings India 2026 (January 28–31 in Hyderabad), also opens in India, attracting leading aircraft manufacturers and airlines, which could bring news about significant contracts and collaborations affecting the aerospace sector stocks.
Corporate Reports: Midweek sees the most anticipated batch of corporate earnings, particularly in the high-tech sector. After the closure of the American markets on January 28, three megacorps from the technology sector will report their fourth-quarter 2025 results: Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook). Microsoft’s report (published in the evening) will reveal the dynamics of cloud services and AI products – sustained growth in this segment could support the entire tech-heavy Nasdaq. Tesla will report on electric vehicle deliveries and profitability – investors are watching how price reductions on some models have impacted margins. Meta will unveil results in online advertising and user activity, serving as a litmus test for the social media market amid competition. Additionally, several other companies in the S&P 500 are set to report on Wednesday evening: for example, chip equipment manufacturer Lam Research and payment system Mastercard. Notably, Mastercard will release its fourth-quarter numbers a bit earlier, before the market opens that same day, with forecasts regarding transaction volumes being crucial for assessing consumer activity. From the traditional sector, Boeing's report (if not released earlier in the morning) is significant – comments on new orders and the restoration of supply chains are essential for the industry. In Europe, Wednesday morning highlights the release from Dutch company ASML – a leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment: ASML's results will provide insights on the state of the global chipmaker cycle. As such, Wednesday is set to be a day of high volatility: the combination of central bank decisions and reports from tech giants could induce sharp movements in indices and currency rates.
Thursday, January 29
Macroeconomics: Attention on Thursday shifts to other regions and data. In the first half of the day, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will announce its interest rate decision: the market is pricing in a rate hold at current levels (considering inflation around 3% and previous cuts), but the regulator's comments on the economic outlook for South Africa could influence the rand's exchange rate and risk appetite in emerging markets. In Europe, there are no major regulatory decisions that day (the ECB will meet already next week), but some data may be published, such as preliminary inflation estimates from certain eurozone countries or consumer confidence indicators. Investors will also continue to assess the outcomes of the FOMC meeting: the second day following announced policy often characterizes itself by re-evaluation and market movement corrections. Traditionally, in the U.S., initial unemployment claims data is published on Thursdays – this timely labor market indicator is of interest given the Fed's rhetoric about an "easing" economy. Additionally, towards the end of the month, the U.S. Treasury may announce updated plans regarding government debt issuance, influencing bond yields. It is also worth noting the political backdrop: with one day remaining until the U.S. government funding deadline, news from Congress regarding budget approval or another temporary agreement (or the lack thereof) could significantly impact markets.
Corporate Reports: Investors can look forward to a new wave of significant corporate releases from both sides of the Atlantic on January 29. The highlight of the day will be Apple's financial results – the world's most valuable company will report after the U.S. market closes. This marks the first quarter of Apple's fiscal 2026, including the holiday season, so record revenue is anticipated: particularly interesting will be sales of new iPhone models and the trend of its services business. Any surprises from Apple could significantly affect the Nasdaq and the entire tech sector. Also, on the evening of Thursday, Visa, the largest payment system, will present its quarterly results, showing global consumer spending metrics. Analysts expect an increase in electronic payment turnover; investors will closely monitor Visa's forecasts for 2026 in light of macroeconomic conditions. Before the market opens on Thursday, Visa's competitor, Mastercard, will report (as previously mentioned, its data may come out early in the morning): together, the reports from these two payment giants will provide a holistic view of trends in cashless payments and tourism. In Europe, on Thursday morning, German technology conglomerate SAP’s financials for 2025 will be released – investors will evaluate the growth of SAP's cloud services and forecasts for the new year, which are critical to the European tech sector. Additionally, results from Nokia will be revealed in Europe: the Finnish company’s report (early in the day) will demonstrate demand for 5G telecom equipment, especially amid fierce competition in the global communications market. On the Russian market, no major financial releases are expected on Thursday, but various corporate calendar events will take place, such as the "All Tools" company revealing its production results for 2025, and developer "Samolyot" hosting an Investor Day where it may provide forecasts for the real estate market. Thus, Thursday will provide crucial indicators from the leaders of the tech and financial sectors, aiding in the adjustment of strategies ahead of the week’s end.
Friday, January 30
Macroeconomics: The end of the workweek is marked by the release of key statistical data, especially in Europe and Asia. In the Eurozone, a preliminary estimate of GDP for Q4 2025 will be published. Economists predict weak growth or stagnation in the Eurozone economy at year-end – with results close to 0% quarter-on-quarter amid high ECB rates and energy uncertainties. Actual GDP figures for the EU will largely determine market sentiment: a better-than-expected growth outcome may support the euro and European stocks, while negative momentum will intensify discussions about a potential easing of ECB policy later in 2026. Data from major Eurozone countries (Germany, France) will also be of interest, which often release on the same day: particular focus will be on Germany, where industrial decline may have hampered growth. In Asia, early Friday will see Tokyo's inflation data for January – the Consumer Price Index in Tokyo serves as a leading indicator for all of Japan. A further slowdown in annual inflation to around 2% is expected, which may strengthen the view of the temporary nature of the price surge in Japan and reduce pressure on the Bank of Japan regarding tightening policy. In the U.S., macroeconomic statistics may be limited due to recent budget disputes: the GDP report for Q4 2025 was initially scheduled for January 30 but was contingent on the funding of statistical agencies. If the U.S. government is not shut down by this date, data on personal income and expenditure for December (including PCE inflation) may be released – investors will assess consumer spending dynamics at year-end. Finally, the political intrigue peaks: the temporary budget for the U.S. expires on January 30. If Congress fails to approve funding, a risk of a partial government shutdown starting January 31 arises. Markets are highly sensitive to this issue – throughout Friday, any news on the progress of budget negotiations (or setbacks) can spur noticeable fluctuations in the dollar, treasury bonds, and the broader stock market.
Corporate Reports: Friday concludes the week with a powerful finale through reports from major oil and gas companies along with other corporations. Before U.S. market opening on January 30, quarterly results from two oil supermajors – ExxonMobil and Chevron – will be released. These reports matter not only to the companies’ shareholders but also to the entire energy sector and commodity markets: high oil prices at the end of 2025 are expected to have allowed both corporations to display strong profit and cash flow figures. Investors also look forward to updates on stock buyback programs and investment plans for 2026. Concurrently, financial conglomerate American Express (AXP) will provide its report – this Dow Jones issuer’s results will reflect trends in premium consumer spending and credit card debt. Among the reports expected on Friday morning is that of telecommunications giant Verizon, which will disclose metrics on 5G subscriber growth and dividend forecasts; any surprises here could impact the entire communications sector. The European market is relatively quiet at the end of the week in terms of new reports (most EU companies have either reported in earlier days or are preparing for February). Conversely, on the Russian market, significant operational details may emerge on Friday: for instance, oil companies in Russia traditionally publish mining and export data for the previous quarter by the end of the month, potentially affecting oil and gas stock prices. After market close on Friday, no substantial reports are anticipated – investors will consolidate insights from a busy week while preparing for new data in the following one.
Weekend January 31 - February 1
Macroeconomics and Events: During the weekend, markets take a pause, although attention turns towards Asia. On Saturday, January 31, China will publish its official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector for January. This release is significant as it serves as a key indicator for the world's second-largest economy, coming out even on a weekend. PMI is expected to hover around the neutral level of 50 points – maintaining this mark will confirm the stabilization of manufacturing growth in China. An improvement in PMI above 50 would signal increased activity ahead of the Spring Festival, while a drop below 50 could elevate concerns regarding weak domestic demand. No major economic events are planned for Sunday, February 1. However, investors will monitor developments in Washington: if the budget crisis in the U.S. is not resolved by Saturday, a partial shutdown of the federal government will commence from Sunday; markets will open the following week factoring in this aspect. Furthermore, a series of holidays in Asia is approaching – with February arrives, market participants will consider the upcoming Chinese New Year (peak celebrations on February 17) and the associated extended breaks across Asian exchanges.
Conclusion: What Investors Should Consider
The week of January 26 to February 1, 2026, promises a wealth of events and will require investors to pay heightened attention to the news backdrop. Firstly, the outcomes of the FOMC meeting and accompanying commentary will set the direction for global markets – even without a rate change, the tone of the statements regarding future inflation control will be crucial. Secondly, the series of macro reports (Eurozone GDP, Chinese PMI, Japanese inflation, U.S. consumer confidence) will allow for adjustments to forecasts regarding global growth: improvements in metrics may boost risk appetite, while weak data could intensify demand for safe-haven instruments (bonds, gold). Thirdly, the peak season for corporate reporting continues: results from giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Meta, Visa, ExxonMobil, and others can lead to capital redistributions among sectors. It is important for investors not just to monitor whether earnings forecasts are met, but also to read management guidance for 2026 – many companies provide expectations for the entire year, which will impact stock valuations. Finally, geopolitical and political factors cannot be underestimated: a potential U.S. government shutdown at the week’s end poses a risk to credit ratings and confidence in the dollar, as well as serving as an indicator of U.S. lawmakers' ability to negotiate. On the global stage, signs of stabilization (e.g., progress in peace negotiations) or new hotspots of tension will affect energy prices and EM currencies. In anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year and associated market breaks, investors worldwide should timely balance their portfolios. In summary, the week is set to be volatile but presents opportunities: prudent analysis of economic trends and corporate reports will help in making informed investment decisions.
