Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Saturday, January 3, 2026. Overview of Global Macroeconomics, Status of Stock Markets in the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia, Key Guidelines for Investors.
Saturday, January 3, 2026, is expected to be an exceptionally quiet day on global financial markets. The New Year celebrations continue, and on this weekend nearly all major exchanges remain closed. No significant economic publications are scheduled, leaving investors without new guidance. The corporate sector is also at a standstill, as major company reports will not emerge until later, closer to mid-January. However, market participants remain vigilant: any unexpected news, especially from the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, could impact sentiment ahead of the trading week reopening.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- Australia: S&P Global Services PMI for December and the composite PMI index are expected to be published throughout the day.
- No other major macroeconomic data is being released today: most countries are not publishing statistics due to the weekend. The first wave of economic indicators in the new year will commence next week in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Trading Sessions and New Year Holidays
- Exchanges Closed: all major global platforms are not operating this Saturday as it is a common holiday for global financial markets.
- Continuation of Holidays: many stock markets (including the US and Europe) have completed a shortened holiday week and will resume full trading only on Monday, January 5.
- Russian Markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) continues its New Year holidays (trading is suspended until next week), and the Saint Petersburg Exchange is also closed on January 3 due to the holiday.
- Middle East: Exchanges in several Gulf countries traditionally do not trade on Saturdays and will open tomorrow, January 4, marking their first trading session of the new year.
Global Markets and Indices
- US (S&P 500): American markets are closed for the holiday. After the first trading day of the new year, investors in the US are assessing the prospects for the beginning of 2026; attention is shifting to upcoming macroeconomic events— including the release of the ISM business activity index at the start of the week and the key employment report (Non-Farm Payrolls) on January 9. Additionally, the market is awaiting signals ahead of the new corporate earnings season.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): European exchanges are also not functioning on weekends; key indices in the region have gone through the holiday period without significant changes. European investors are focused on the reopening of trading on January 5 and upcoming data on the Eurozone economy (inflation, business activity), as well as external factors such as oil price dynamics and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- Asia (Nikkei 225): Major markets in the Asia-Pacific region are on pause due to the holidays. In Japan, New Year celebrations are concluding (trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange will resume next week), while Chinese and several other Asian exchanges are also closed. Regional investors, in the meantime, are monitoring external conditions and preparing for the resumption of trading on Monday.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): Trading on Russian platforms is not taking place due to ongoing New Year holidays. The ruble and indices of the Moscow Exchange are currently stable amid low activity, but as the market returns post-holidays, they will start reacting to external drivers—primarily fluctuations in oil prices and geopolitical factors. Main activity on MOEX is expected to resume in the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Company Reports: Due to the holiday, there are no financial results of major companies being published today. Most issuers from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will report for the fourth quarter only in the second half of January when the main quarterly reporting season begins.
- US Market: The first reports from American corporations traditionally emerge in mid-January, starting with leading banks and tech giants. Investors expect these results to provide initial signals regarding financial outcomes for 2025 and forecasts for 2026.
- Europe and Asia: Similarly, major European and Asian companies will present their quarterly results closer to the end of January or in February. This week, the focus in these regions is more on the macroeconomic landscape and forecasts rather than corporate reports.
- Dividends and Announcements: The beginning of the year sometimes brings announcements of dividends or strategic plans from certain companies. However, there are few such corporate news during the New Year holidays. Investors should monitor company press releases in the coming days—key dividend dates and plans for the year may soon be announced after the holidays.
Day's Summary: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. Holiday weekends are accompanied by reduced trading volumes; with limited activity, even single news items can provoke disproportionately sharp market fluctuations. Investors should act cautiously: control risks and avoid making large trades until normal liquidity is restored.
- OPEC+ and Oil Prices. On Sunday, January 4, a meeting of OPEC+ alliance countries will take place, after which it will become clear whether oil production quotas will remain unchanged. Any unexpected decisions could lead to noticeable oil price movements at the start of the year. Consequently, the energy sector and currencies of commodity countries (including the Russian ruble) will react to the results of this meeting on Monday.
- Start of Earnings Season. While there are no major corporate releases today, the earnings season will commence in a couple of weeks when major banks, IT companies, and industrial corporations begin publishing their results for the fourth quarter. Expectations and preliminary assessments of these reports will gradually be incorporated into stock prices—investors should anticipate potential surprises in corporate earnings.
- Macroeconomic Background and Policy. The absence of significant statistics during the holidays means that the first trading days of the new year will be especially dependent on news flow. At the beginning of the week, markets will receive a batch of data (e.g., service sector activity indices in various countries) and may see the publication of minutes from recent central bank meetings. Additionally, any statements from politicians or sudden geopolitical events can impact investor sentiment. Under these conditions, conservative strategies remain relevant—asset diversification and a measured approach to risk will help protect portfolios in case of unexpected volatility.
This overview provides key guidelines for investors on January 3, 2026. In light of minimal market activity, it is crucial to remain alert: pay close attention to news over the weekend, the dynamics of major indices as exchanges reopen, and forthcoming economic publications to make informed investment decisions.
