Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, February 28, 2026: Berkshire Hathaway Report Release, Rate Expectations, Analysis of Global Markets in the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia Before the New Week Begins
Saturday, February 28, 2026, is an atypical day for macroeconomic statistics and corporate earnings reports, as key stock exchanges (the US, Europe, Japan, Russia) are closed. However, a "holiday" does not mean "empty": major issuers occasionally release reports and annual materials over the weekend, allowing the market time to digest the information before trading resumes. This format makes today significant for gauging sentiment as a new week begins.
Market Daily Mode: Lower Liquidity, Delayed Reaction
- Low liquidity across most exchanges means there may be little direct price response to news.
- Revaluation of expectations is deferred to futures, over-the-counter quotes, and the opening of markets on Monday.
- Shift in focus from “numbers of the day” to preparing for the macro week: investors are proactively strategizing around rates, currencies, and commodities.
Economic Events: Minimal Statistics, But Market Lives on Expectations
On February 28, the macroeconomic calendar is typically "thin" due to the weekend. As a result, the main function of the day is not new releases, but rather the positioning of traders ahead of March releases (business activity indices, manufacturing surveys, employment data, and inflation expectations).
- US: There are usually no official releases (holiday). The market is preparing for next week’s data on manufacturing activity and the services segment.
- Europe: Important publications typically do not occur on weekends; investors focus on interest rate trajectories and comments from regulators that may emerge early next week.
- Asia: The end of the month traditionally increases interest in business activity surveys and updates to industrial indicators; however, exact dates depend on national agency calendars and holiday shifts.
- Russia: Weekend statistics are rare; key benchmarks include ruble liquidity, oil quotes, and expectations regarding the Bank of Russia's rate.
Implications for Rates, Currencies, and Commodities
In the absence of "strong" macro data, the market often shifts to interpretation mode: even a single major corporate release can alter expectations around risk appetite.
- The Dollar and Global Currencies: Movement may be limited, but positioning for Monday is intensifying—especially in pairs sensitive to interest rates.
- Bond Yields: Reactions are more often reflected through expectations for the curve at the start of the week, rather than today.
- Oil and Gas: Over the weekend, the news backdrop (geopolitics, cartel statements, logistics) is more important than statistics. Market participants are laying out scenarios ahead of the opening of futures sessions.
Corporate Reports: US (S&P 500 and Major Public Companies)
The key event of the day is the release of financial results and annual materials from Berkshire Hathaway (classes BRK.A and BRK.B) in a weekend release format. For the global market, this is one of the most "signal" reports: the company combines insurance, rail infrastructure, energy, and a large portfolio of stocks, hence its figures and comments are often perceived as a barometer of the US economy.
What to Look For in the Berkshire Hathaway Report
- Underwriting profit in insurance and the dynamics of insurance premiums.
- Investment results: income from bond/cash portfolios and realization of profits from stocks.
- Capital and liquidity: volume of cash and equivalents, approach to cash allocation.
- Buyback/Capital Allocation: signals regarding stock buybacks and asset valuation discipline.
- Segments of the Real Economy: BNSF (railroads), energy assets, consumer and industrial subsidiaries.
Practical Conclusion: If the report shows stable margins in insurance and a "calm" commentary on the economy, it enhances the likelihood of a more confident start for risk assets in the beginning of the week. Conversely, a rise in loss rates, deterioration in the frequency of insurance claims, or a cautious tone regarding demand/transport can bolster defensive sentiments.
Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Weekend Reports Are Rare; Focus on Comments
For large European companies, the publication of reports on Saturday is uncommon. Therefore, investors in the Euro Stoxx 50 typically do two things on this day:
- They summarize the recently concluded week of earnings and update expectations regarding margins amid energy, logistics, and labor costs;
- They prepare scenarios for March: sensitivity to ECB rates, lending dynamics, and demand in industry/services.
Asia (Nikkei 225): Preparing for Month-End Is More Important Than Release Facts
For the Japanese market, the end of February serves as a "bridge" to the reports at the beginning of March (business activity, external demand, supply chains). In the absence of trading on Saturday, investors are assessing:
- Currency factors (yen and influence on exporters);
- Technology cycles and demand for semiconductors/equipment;
- Commodity impulses (oil/LNG) and their effect on import prices.
Russia (MOEX): Weekend Corporate Agenda is Limited
In the Russian market, there is usually no "dense" schedule of reports from major issuers on Saturday; however, investors are monitoring:
- The dynamics of oil and expectations regarding export revenues;
- The ruble exchange rate and parameters of ruble liquidity;
- Regulatory risks and corporate news that may be published outside of trading hours.
Key Events of the Day: What Really Drives Expectations
- Release of the Berkshire Hathaway report and its perception as an indicator of the resilience of the US economy.
- Reevaluation of March scenarios: rates/inflation/business activity (especially in light of last week’s data).
- Commodity and geopolitical backdrop capable of altering inflation risk assessments even before markets open.
What Investors Should Focus on Before the Week Opens
The main task for Saturday is preparation for Monday, March 2, 2026: while the market is not fully "digesting" data into prices today, it is actively shaping expectations. The key trigger is the Berkshire Hathaway report: it sets the tone for discussions about the state of corporate America, the quality of profits, and capital allocation discipline.
Investor Checklist (Briefly)
- Review the main takeaways from the Berkshire report: profitability by segments, cash, buyback, comments on the economy.
- Update scenarios regarding rates and yields for the first week of March.
- Check the portfolio’s sensitivity to the "gap" at the opening: banks/insurance, cyclical sectors, commodity assets.
- Predefine risk levels and a rebalancing plan for Monday (if the news backdrop heightens volatility).
