Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026: China's PMI Index, Budget Crisis in the U.S., and a Pause in the Corporate Earnings Season. An Analytical Overview for Investors.
Day Summary for Investors
The last day of January is passing relatively quietly for global markets, but it contains important signals. Investors are focused on the morning PMI data from China, which will indicate the state of manufacturing and the service sector at the beginning of 2026. Simultaneously, the U.S. has managed to avert a shutdown threat: Congress has passed a temporary budget resolution, alleviating immediate political risk. The absence of major corporate reports this Saturday gives market participants an opportunity to reflect on the month's results and prepare for a new trading phase.
Key Economic Events (Times in MSK)
- 04:30 — China: January PMI indices for Manufacturing, Services, and Composite.
U.S.: Budget Compromise Averts Shutdown Threat
The United States has avoided a federal government shutdown. At the last minute, Republicans and Democrats in Congress reached an agreement on funding: a spending package has been passed that extends operations for most agencies until the end of September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been granted a temporary funding extension for several weeks, reflecting the compromise nature of the agreement.
For the markets, this news has been a relief: the risk of an immediate shutdown has been removed, and the economic consequences have been minimized for now. Investors have reacted positively to the avoidance of a budget crisis, as a shutdown could have lowered U.S. GDP and increased volatility in equity markets. However, political uncertainty has not vanished entirely: the prospect of further negotiations over the budget and long-term expenditures remains a tension factor that could influence business confidence and the value of the dollar.
China: January PMI Reflects Economic Trends
China's official PMI indices for January indicate a continuation of moderate growth at the start of the year. The manufacturing PMI is expected to hover around the critical level of 50 points, separating growth from contraction (the December value was around 50.1). An actual figure of about 50.2 points signals a slight expansion in China's industrial sector, indicating gradual stabilization after the fluctuations of late 2025. The non-manufacturing PMI (services and construction) also remains slightly above 50 points, reflecting a cautious optimism in the services sector.
For global markets, data from China serves as an early barometer of the health of the world's second-largest economy. Maintaining the PMI above 50 points instills moderate optimism: demand in China is not contracting, which supports commodity prices and exporters' revenues. However, growth rates remain close to zero, so any drop in PMI could heighten concerns about slowing economic growth in Asia and worldwide. Investors in emerging markets and commodity markets are closely monitoring Chinese indicators, comparing production and service dynamics with expectations for exports, commodity consumption, and multinational corporations’ profits.
Global Markets: January Summary
January 2026 has been a mixed month for key stock indices. The U.S. S&P 500 is finishing the month with a modest increase: strong reports from several tech giants have supported the U.S. market, compensating for concerns around inflation and Federal Reserve rates. The European Euro Stoxx 50 displayed a similar trend, achieving slight growth against stable economic data from the eurozone. In the Asia-Pacific region, sentiments were more restrained: Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broad MSCI Asia index closed January near neutral levels, reflecting investor caution amid mixed macroeconomic indicators from China and the actions of the Bank of Japan.
For the Russian market, January has also passed relatively quietly. The Moscow Exchange Index fluctuated within a narrow range, responding to changes in oil prices and the general risk appetite in emerging markets. Overall, the first month of 2026 demonstrates that global investors are balancing hopes for a soft landing of the world economy with concerns regarding inflation risks. Further developments will heavily depend on new data and corporate results in the coming weeks.
Corporate Reports: Major Public Companies Reporting on January 31, 2026
No major public companies are scheduled to release financial reports on Saturday, January 31, as this day falls on a weekend for global markets. There are no blue-chip reports in the U.S. (S&P 500) or Europe (Euro Stoxx 50). This also applies to Asian stock market giants and issuers on the Moscow Exchange—investors in these regions have nothing to assess on the corporate front today.
The pause in the corporate earnings season allows for an analysis of results already published and preparation for a new wave of releases expected in early February. In the U.S., next week is set to feature reports from several technology and consumer leaders, including Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.com. These releases draw market-wide attention. In Europe, investors will be watching the metrics of industrial conglomerates and banks. Consequently, today’s breather offers the opportunity to evaluate overall trends in the corporate sector—revenue growth, profitability, management forecasts—before new data starts influencing stock prices in the coming days.
What Investors Should Focus On
- China's PMI Data: Compare actual manufacturing and service indices with the threshold level of 50 points and forecasts. A stronger-than-expected PMI could improve sentiment in commodity markets and support commodity company stocks, while weak figures would heighten concerns about demand in Asia.
- Budget Situation in the U.S.: Monitor developments after the temporary compromise. The absence of a shutdown removes short-term risk, but discussions around the budget and national debt will continue. Any new disagreements or threats may again increase volatility in the dollar and U.S. government bonds.
- Earnings Season: Use the weekend pause to evaluate key insights from already published quarterly reports. It's essential to pay attention not only to profit metrics but also to companies' forecasts on demand, margins, and capital expenditures for 2026—especially for energy and banking sectors, where expectations around rates and the lending cycle are critical. This will help adjust sectoral expectations ahead of the new wave of reports.
- Preparation for the New Week: Given the January results and current news, formulate an action plan for the beginning of February. Investors from CIS countries should consider the international backdrop: data from China and the resolved budget issue in the U.S. could set the tone for trading on the Moscow Exchange on Monday. Risk management discipline is crucial: balance the portfolio considering global factors and be prepared for potential index fluctuations.
In conclusion, Saturday, January 31, provides markets with a breather for reassessing the situation. Despite the limited number of events, the signals received—from China's PMI to the U.S. budget compromise—form the foundation for sentiment at the start of February. Investors would benefit from using this day for analysis and preparation to enter the new trading week with the most comprehensive picture of macroeconomic and corporate trends.
