Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Tuesday, February 24, 2026: Implementation of U.S. Import Tariffs, LPR Rate in China, U.S. Macro Statistics, and Peak of Q4 2025 Earnings Season. Analysis for Global Investors.
Tuesday, February 24, presents a confluence of macroeconomics, trade policy, and corporate reporting for investors. The earnings season for Q4 2025 continues in the U.S., with results and forecasts from companies across various sectors being released today—ranging from consumer goods and infrastructure to energy and green generation. In this context, market sensitivity to any signals regarding inflation dynamics, interest rates, and demand stability in the U.S., Europe, and Asia is heightened.
U.S. Trade Policy: Import Tariffs as a Factor of Inflation and Yields
The key story of the day is the implementation of temporary U.S. import tariffs on a wide range of goods. For the markets, this presents a dual signal: first, potential pressure on import prices and inflation expectations; and second, a risk of a more aggressive rate path and a reassessment of the yield curve. The practical market reaction typically manifests through a strengthening dollar, increased volatility in cyclical sectors, and a rotation towards defensive stocks.
- Investor Focus: How quickly will trade costs translate into consumer prices and company margins?
- Markets at Risk: Import-dependent sectors, retail, and parts of the industrial sector; support is seen in local producers and firms with significant pricing power.
- Practice: On days with trade decisions, the likelihood of "sharp movements" in the currency and commodity markets increases, especially with simultaneous consumer-related releases in the U.S.
U.S.: Presidential Address to Congress and Political Risk Premium
An additional driver is the U.S. President's annual address to Congress regarding the state of the nation and the administration's plans. For the markets, this primarily carries the risk of unexpected rhetoric on tariffs, the budget, regulation, and sanctions policy. Typically, such speeches heighten intraday volatility in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices, as well as in sectors sensitive to government spending and regulation (defense, healthcare, energy, technology).
Macro Economic Calendar: Key Releases and Speeches (Moscow Time)
- 04:15 — China: LPR (Loan Prime Rate).
- 16:15 — U.S.: ADP Employment (private sector employment).
- 17:00 — U.S.: S&P/Case-Shiller Index (December).
- 17:15 — U.K.: Speech by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.
- 18:00 — U.S.: Consumer Confidence (February).
- 18:00 — U.S.: Richmond Manufacturing Index (February).
- 20:45 — Eurozone: Speech by ECB President Christine Lagarde.
- 00:30 — U.S.: API Oil Inventories (transitioning into Wednesday).
China and Asia: LPR Rate and Regional Demand Assessment
The LPR decision in China serves as a foundational reference for assessing borrowing costs, real estate activity, and domestic demand trends. For the global market, this is a critical input for commodity currencies, industrial metals, and Asian equities. Coupled with the U.S. trade agenda, the reaction could be asymmetric: even a neutral rate amidst "hawkish" signals from the U.S. could amplify caution in risk assets and elevate demand for defensive instruments.
Commodities and Oil: Focus on API and Energy Reports
Late evening Moscow time will see the release of API data on U.S. oil inventories—one of the fastest indicators of supply and demand balance prior to official statistics. In days when energy company reports are simultaneously published, market attention shifts not only to inventory levels but also to management commentary on production, capital expenditures, and hedging. For investors from the CIS, the linkage of "oil—currencies of commodity-producing countries—risk appetite" is crucial as it impacts the dynamics of regional indices, including MOEX.
Corporate Reports: U.S. Pre-Market
Major public companies under market focus:
- Home Depot (HD) — Q4 and full-year 2025 report; key areas include demand in renovation/construction and guidance for 2026 (conference call at 17:00 Moscow time).
- Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) — report before the market opens; focus on sales dynamics and price mix in FMCG.
- NRG Energy (NRG) — results and guidance updates; the market typically evaluates margins, generation structure, and debt levels.
- American Tower (AMT) — results and commentary on telecom infrastructure; revenue growth rates, rental income, and capital expenditures are key (call at 16:30 Moscow time).
- Diamondback Energy (FANG) — energy report and commentary on production/capex (market timing guideline at 17:00 Moscow time).
- Planet Fitness (PLNT) — report before market opens; focus on LFL dynamics and network expansion.
- Constellation Energy (CEG) — publication of quarterly/annual materials; investors look for generation stability and commentary on capacity and fuel prices.
Investor logic in the pre-market is straightforward: retail and consumer companies signal household strength, infrastructure companies indicate capital cycle status, while energy firms inform on commodity balances and investment plans.
Corporate Reports: U.S. After Market Close and Evening Events
- Realty Income (O) — report after NYSE close; important factors include rental income, funding costs, and commentary on rates (call late at night Moscow time).
- MercadoLibre (MELI) — results release and conference call; focus on the pace of e-commerce and fintech segment (guideline — night Moscow time).
- EOG Resources (EOG) — anticipated results from the energy giant; the market will compare capital spending discipline and free cash flow.
- ONEOK (OKE) — discussion of quarterly results in the conference call; tariff revenues and commentary on midstream volumes are crucial (19:00 Moscow time).
- First Solar (FSLR) — report and 2026 guidance update; critical how the company describes demand and pricing for capacity.
- DigitalOcean (DOCN) and several mid-tier technology issuers — focus on ARR/margins and commentary on cloud infrastructure demand.
After market close, the "tone of the environment" often forms: if reports and forecasts confirm demand stability, index futures may reverse direction even before the Asian market opens. Conversely, if margin anxiety escalates due to trade costs, markets may swiftly move into defensive assets.
Europe and Asia: Notable Earnings and Corporate Releases
In Europe, the annual results season continues, and investors are comparing corporate reports with ECB rhetoric. In the Asian market, significant publications from commodity and semiconductor companies are crucial as they provide insight into the investment cycle and external demand.
- Croda International — annual results for 2025; focus on chemistry and margins.
- Société BIC — results for 2025; essential how the company describes demand in the U.S. and Europe.
- Woodside Energy (WDS) — annual materials for 2025; key for the market are production forecasts, cash flows, and capital project priorities.
- ChipMOS (IMOS) — report and conference call; an indicator of supply chain conditions and demand in semiconductors.
Conclusion: Key Points for Investors to Consider
- U.S. Trade Policy: Monitor dollar and yield reactions as they directly influence global equity valuations and the cost of capital.
- U.S. Data at 18:00 Moscow Time: Consumer confidence and the Richmond index can significantly alter intraday risk appetite.
- Chinese LPR: Important for commodities and Asian markets; reactions might be more pronounced than usual due to trade context.
- U.S. Reporting: Home Depot as a barometer for the consumer/housing cycle; energy (EOG, Diamondback) and infrastructure (American Tower) serve as tests for cash flow resilience under expensive financing.
- Oil and API: Evening inventory statistics can set the tone for the commodities sector for the next session, especially with substantial commentary from companies on capex and production.
