Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Sunday, January 18, 2026. China's GDP, Asian Macroeconomic Statistics, and Global Sentiment for Investors in World Markets.
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the global financial markets are anticipating a relatively quiet day. The major exchanges in the US and Europe are closed for the weekend (additionally, a long weekend is occurring in the US due to the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day), resulting in the absence of new macroeconomic statistics and corporate reports from these regions. Nevertheless, investor focus is set to be on significant publications from Asia and a series of reports from large companies in emerging markets, which could shed light on the state of industries and set the tone for the trading session at the start of the new week. Investor sentiment in the CIS countries and globally remains cautious: key global indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Moscow Exchange Index (MOEX)) finished the past week without significant changes, concentrating on upcoming signals for their strategies.
US (S&P 500 Index)
- The US markets will be closed on January 18, and no new economic releases or corporate reports from S&P 500 companies are scheduled for Sunday. Investors continue to digest data from the past week: December's Producer Price Index (PPI) in the US showed a slowdown, confirming the trend of easing price pressures, while industrial production slightly exceeded forecasts, indicating some stabilization in the manufacturing sector. The lack of news on the weekend and the upcoming holiday means that attention is shifting to the near-term events of the new week — discussions will remain centered around the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook following the recent rate-cutting cycle and the continuation of the corporate earnings season in the US.
Europe (Euro Stoxx 50 Index)
- In Europe, Sunday also brings no significant events: markets are in a pause, and no financial reports from companies in the Euro Stoxx 50 will be published on this day. European investors are using this lull to prepare for upcoming statistical reports at the start of the week. On Monday, the final inflation estimate for the Eurozone for December will be released, which, according to preliminary data, has decreased to just above 2% year-on-year — this strengthens expectations that the European Central Bank will refrain from tightening policy at its upcoming meeting. In addition, the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 19-23) will commence on Monday, where global leaders and corporate heads will discuss global economic risks and outlooks — statements from this forum may shape the information landscape for European markets in the following week.
China: GDP for Q4 2025 and December Statistics
- In China, key macroeconomic indicators are scheduled for release on the morning of Monday. First, the growth of China's GDP for the fourth quarter of 2025 will be published — moderate growth of around +4.8% year-on-year is expected, consistent with the dynamics of the previous quarter. This figure will show whether the world's second-largest economy has managed to maintain expansion against the backdrop of declining exports and limited stimuli. Second, data on industrial production and retail sales for December will be released concurrently. Forecasts suggest that China's factory output continued solid growth (around +4-5% year-on-year), while consumer spending remains subdued (retail sales are expected to grow by only ~1% year-on-year). The results of Chinese statistics will set the tone for Asian markets and commodity prices: stronger figures may increase risk appetite and support prices for oil and metals, while weak reports may heighten concerns over a slowdown in the global economy.
Japan: Machinery Orders
- In Japan, data on machinery orders for November 2025 will be released on the night of January 19 (Monday). The previous month showed a notable decline in this indicator (-4% month-on-month in October), reflecting business caution regarding capital expenditures. Based on expected November data, a recovery in orders is likely — preliminary estimates indicate growth of around +7% month-on-month, signaling a return of companies to investment. Although Japanese markets are closed on Sunday, the publication of this indicator before the Tokyo trading opens could impact the dynamics of the Nikkei 225 index and the yen’s exchange rate: improved statistics might bolster investor confidence in Japan's economic stability and support demand for industrial sector stocks.
South Korea: Producer Price Index
- The Bank of Korea will present data on the Producer Price Index (PPI) for December. It is expected that manufacturing inflation in South Korea remained at a moderate level: estimates suggest that the PPI in December rose by around +2% year-on-year, only slightly accelerating from 1.7% in November. Moderate growth in producer prices indicates subdued price pressures in supply chains and may signal a stabilization of inflationary trends in the region. While the South Korean PPI seldom has a significant impact on global markets, its dynamics are of interest as a leading indicator for consumer inflation and the state of the industrial sector in one of Asia's largest economies.
India: Major Quarterly Company Reports
- In India, the active corporate earnings season continues, with several major public companies releasing their financial results for October-December 2025 (Q3 of the fiscal year 2026). Among them are Hindustan Zinc (mining sector), Punjab National Bank (one of the largest state-owned banks), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (engineering and power equipment), and Havells India (consumer electronics). Investors are closely examining these reports to assess the state of key sectors of the Indian economy: for example, PNB's results will indicate credit dynamics and asset quality in the banking system, while Hindustan Zinc's figures will reflect the impact of metal prices on the profits of resource companies. The reaction of the local market (BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices) to these reports will become evident on Monday, setting the tone for other emerging markets.
Middle East and Other Markets: Reports from Qatar Islamic Bank, Almarai, Nanya, and Virbac
- Among other notable corporate events on Sunday is the publication of results from Qatar Islamic Bank (the largest Islamic bank in Qatar) and Saudi Arabia's Almarai (leading dairy producer in the region) for Q4 2025. These reports will depict the state of the Gulf financial sector and consumer demand in the Middle East against a backdrop of stable oil prices. In Asia, quarterly results from Taiwan's Nanya Technology — a major memory chip manufacturer — will be one of the indicators for the technology sector: investors are looking for signals of demand recovery for chips following a downturn. In Europe, the report from French pharmaceutical company Virbac, which will disclose revenue figures for the fourth quarter, is also noteworthy. Although the impact of the Virbac report is local, the aggregate corporate news from various regions provides a broad perspective on the state of global business at the year's start.
Russia (MOEX Index)
- For the Russian market, January 18 is a day off: trading on the Moscow Exchange will not take place, and financial reports from the largest companies in the MOEX index will not be published on this date. However, it remains crucial for Russian investors to monitor the external environment that is forming on Sunday. First and foremost, the results of Chinese statistics and corporate news from Asia will serve as benchmarks: a strengthening Chinese economy could support prices for oil and metals, which is positive for resource companies’ stocks and the ruble. Oil prices are holding around $62-64 per barrel for Brent crude, and their relative stability over the weekend offers a breather for the Russian market. Nevertheless, any unexpected statements at the global level or changes in the geopolitical landscape could influence investor sentiment by the time trading opens in Moscow on Monday.
Overall, the current Sunday is not rich in events, but certain Asian releases and reports create an important informational backdrop for global investors. Particular attention should be paid to the publication of China's GDP — its results will help assess the growth trajectory of the world’s second-largest economy and sentiment in commodity markets. In addition, the start of the World Economic Forum will be in focus: starting tomorrow, the statements of global leaders in Davos could set the tone for regional markets. Any unexpectedly strong (or weak) data could recalibrate expectations regarding the future actions of central banks and impact risk appetite. At the start of the new week, the combination of macroeconomic indicators and corporate reports will determine the dynamics of key indices and investor sentiment from the CIS and around the globe.
