Main Economic Events for October 25, 2025: Weekly Summary, Decision by the Central Bank of Russia on Rates, Reports from Major Companies — Procter & Gamble, VTB, ICICI Bank. Market Analysis of the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia for CIS Investors.
Introduction. CIS investors greet Saturday, October 25, with no scheduled global macroeconomic publications or stock market trading, but with keen attention to the results of the past week. While there are no new statistical reports or central bank decisions this weekend, the business community is analyzing the accumulated economic data and corporate reports. The end of the week is a time for reevaluating strategies: the markets digest key signals from recent days and prepare for upcoming events. Below is an overview of the global economic situation and corporate results by region, along with factors investors should focus on this weekend.
Asia: A Quiet Day and Results from Indian Banks
The Asia-Pacific region spends Saturday without new macroeconomic releases. Major markets in the region closed the previous day with mixed dynamics: investors reflected on the macro data received over the week, and are now taking a pause. Attention shifts to corporate news: in India, the financial sector is in focus due to the reports of the largest banks. ICICI Bank, a leader in India’s banking sector, published its financial results for July-September the previous day, reporting strong growth in profit and loan portfolio. Following that, Kotak Mahindra Bank released its quarterly results; stable profit figures and asset quality are expected. These reports from Indian banks provide investors with a guideline regarding the health of the financial system in one of the largest emerging markets in Asia.
In other Asian countries, there are no major events today, and regional exchanges are taking the day off to evaluate previous drivers. Japan's inflation for September remained moderate, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will maintain an ultra-loose policy. Thus, the day in the region passes quietly: investors analyze information and prepare for market openings on Monday.
Europe: Time Change and Outlook Assessment
In Europe, the weekend also does not bring new statistical reports, but features a technical event: on the night of October 25-26, several countries in the region will switch to standard time. On Sunday, clocks in the Eurozone, the UK, and other European countries will be set back by one hour. This means that starting the new week, the time difference between European and other global financial centers will change — a factor that must be considered when tracking the opening and closing of trading sessions.
European stock indices finished the week with no unified trend. PMI published on Friday generally matched forecasts: the industry is stagnating, while the services sector shows slight growth. The Eurozone economy maintains a fragile balance, where weakness in industry is offset by stability in services. Moderately positive corporate reports helped keep the markets from declining. NatWest Group reported an increase in profit and raised its forecast, while Sanofi noted an increase in revenue — these news supported confidence in the markets. However, in the absence of new triggers on Saturday, European market participants focus on medium-term prospects. Incidentally, next week will see a meeting of the ECB (October 30), where it is expected that current interest rates will be maintained. Consequently, European investors over the weekend are assessing the future trajectory of monetary policy and economic prospects in the region.
Russia: The Impact of Rate Cuts and Corporate Results
For the Russian market, Saturday is a time for reflecting on significant decisions and news received the previous day. On October 24, the Central Bank of Russia announced its decision regarding the key rate: the regulator lowered the rate by 0.5 percentage points to 16.5% per annum. This signals a desire to support the economy in light of its slowdown, although annual inflation still exceeds 8%, limiting the space for further easing. The Central Bank stated it will closely monitor inflation and the ruble exchange rate to adjust its policy if necessary.
The Russian stock market reacted positively to the interest rate decision. The Moscow Exchange Index rose, bouncing back from recent lows amid expectations of a more accommodative policy. The rate cut increased the attractiveness of stocks, although it puts pressure on the ruble’s exchange rate. The ruble weakened slightly on Friday, nearing 100 rubles/$; the combination of a rate cut and external factors keeps pressure on the Russian currency.
The season of domestic corporate reporting continues. On Friday, the state bank VTB published its Q3 report, showing a gradual recovery in profitability after last year's losses — the results indicate the banking sector's adaptation to new conditions. In the oil and gas sector, the news backdrop remains uncertain: interim dividends from "Lukoil" are in question due to sanction risks, which increases uncertainty in the industry. Saturday provides the Russian market with a breather for digesting the Central Bank’s decisions and corporate news ahead of the new week.
USA: A Pause in Data and an Analysis of Quarterly Results
In the United States, October 25 passes with no economic statistics — all key releases for the week have been released, and markets are closed until Monday. American investors use the weekend to evaluate several important signals from recent days. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September did not present any surprises and came in close to forecasts, confirming the rationale behind the Fed's pause in raising rates. Other indicators (preliminary PMI for October, University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index) also remained at levels close to previous ones, signaling ongoing moderate growth in the US economy.
The corporate earnings season in the US has reached its peak, and investors are processing a deluge of fresh company results this weekend. The end of the week brought a wave of quarterly reports. Procter & Gamble recorded sales growth, confirming resilient consumer demand. Ford Motor delivered cautious results: recent strikes and expenses related to electric vehicles have continued to pressure margins, although negotiations with unions have made progress. General Dynamics met forecasts amid high demand for defense products, while HCA Healthcare exceeded revenue expectations, reflecting increased demand for healthcare services. However, several tech giants (from the FAANG group) disappointed the market, falling short of expectations, which caused a dip in Nasdaq earlier in the week. Nevertheless, the overall earnings of S&P 500 companies are estimated to have increased by around 9% year-on-year — above initial expectations for the season, which supports hopes for a “soft landing” for the US economy.
Global Stock Indices
- S&P 500 (USA): finished the week with a slight increase amid strong corporate earnings.
- Euro Stoxx 50 (Europe): changed little over the week amid neutral PMI and no surprises in company reports.
- Nikkei 225 (Japan): maintained its position, supported by a weak yen and expectations of soft Bank of Japan policy.
- Moscow Exchange Index (Russia): rose, bouncing back from weekly lows. The Central Bank of Russia’s rate cut gave momentum to demand for banking and consumer sector stocks.
Commodities and Currencies
- Oil (Brent): concluded the week around $62 per barrel, continuing its recovery. OPEC+ production cuts and decreasing inventories support prices despite uncertainties in the global economy.
- Gold: remains near $2000 per troy ounce amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Investors consider the precious metal a safe haven asset, while moderate inflation and stable Fed rates keep strong price fluctuations in gold in check.
- Currencies: euro/dollar is stable around $1.07, while the ruble weakened to approximately 100 per $ after the Central Bank of Russia's rate cut (the high export prices mitigate the impact).
What Investors Should Focus On
Saturday provides a good opportunity for investors to summarize and assess the risk balance in their portfolios. Despite the lack of new events on October 25, external factors continue to influence sentiment: the situation in commodity markets, geopolitical climate, and expected regulator decisions form the backdrop for the start of the next week. CIS investors should pay attention to upcoming events: in the coming days, new macro data (US labor market, China’s business activity indices) and new corporate reports are expected. In such conditions, it is recommended to maintain asset diversification and a moderately cautious approach. The weekend allows for a sober assessment of strategy: the global economy currently demonstrates relative resilience, but unexpected changes in regulator policies or corporate surprises could adjust the market. As the week concludes, investors should be prepared to respond quickly to news in the coming week, keeping a finger on the pulse of economic events and trends in global markets.
