Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of January 26 to February 1, 2026: FOMC Meeting, Eurozone GDP, China's PMI, and Reports from Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, ExxonMobil, and Other Major Companies. An Analytical Overview for Investors.
The new week brings a packed calendar of macroeconomic events and corporate earnings reports for investors worldwide. The FOMC meeting in the United States headlines the week, accompanied by several significant statistical releases (GDP, PMI, inflation) from various regions, as well as the peak of earnings season for leading companies within the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and Moscow Exchange. Notably, the potential U.S. government shutdown by the end of the week, preparations for the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities in mid-February, and the launch of a major airshow in India are generating particular interest. Below is a detailed day-by-day overview highlighting what investors should focus on.
Monday, January 26
Macroeconomics: The week begins relatively calmly. In Europe, the January Ifo Business Climate Index for Germany is set to be released—marking the first important indicator of the year for the largest economy in the EU. An improvement in German business sentiment could support the euro and European stocks, while weak data could heighten concerns over slowing growth. In the U.S., the December Durable Goods Orders report will be released. The trend in these orders will indicate the state of the industrial sector ahead of the FOMC decision: an increase signals business confidence and supports expectations for a continued hawkish stance by the Fed, while a decline points to cautious company behavior. Trading in Asia is subdued as Australia observes a public holiday (Australia Day), leading to reduced volumes in Asian markets. Overall, Monday sets a tone of limited domestic drivers, with global markets oriented towards external factors and expectations for larger events mid-week.
Corporate Reports: The earnings season is just gaining momentum. In the U.S., several industrial and financial companies will report before the market opens, including steel manufacturers and insurance firms. For instance, reports from Steel Dynamics and Nucor will provide insights into margins and demand in the metallurgy sector, while W. R. Berkley’s results will focus on underwriting profitability. In Europe, few significant releases are expected on Monday, but Ryanair's report—a leading low-cost airline in Europe—stands out. Ryanair’s quarterly financial results will illustrate passenger traffic trends and the impact of fuel prices; a successful report would support the shares of the tourism and aviation sectors in the region. In the Russian market (MOEX index), Monday is quiet, as major Russian companies typically do not disclose annual results until February-March, prompting investors to focus on external signals, oil prices, and the ruble exchange rate.
Tuesday, January 27
Macroeconomics: The focus on Tuesday shifts to the U.S. and Asia. American investors will be watching the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board for January—an important leading indicator for domestic demand. A moderate decline in consumer sentiment is expected following the holiday season; an unexpectedly strong reading could buoy markets, while a weak reading might intensify discussions regarding a slowing U.S. economy. Overall, markets begin to price in expectations ahead of Wednesday’s FOMC meeting, potentially leading to cautious sentiment and slight volatility. In China, the workweek proceeds normally (with Chinese New Year celebrations commencing only in February), but investors are assessing preliminary demand signals ahead of the holidays. In India, statistics on industrial production and the budget are set to be released, which are crucial for evaluating the prospects of the emerging market, though the global impact of this data is limited.
Corporate Reports: Tuesday is rich in earnings reports from major companies, particularly in the U.S. Before U.S. market opening, quarterly results will come from several giants within the Dow Jones index: Boeing will report financial outcomes following the resumption of aircraft deliveries (investors are awaiting comments on production rates and new orders), while automotive giant General Motors will present its sales and profit figures for the fourth quarter. Simultaneously, leading logistics operator UPS (a barometer of business activity and e-commerce) and health insurer UnitedHealth Group will announce their results. In Europe, attention in the second half of the day will turn to the annual results of LVMH—the world’s largest luxury conglomerate. The LVMH report (with revenue growth expected for 2025) will serve as an indicator of consumer demand in the premium segment and is especially important for the European stock market. In total, this day sets the global backdrop: investors weigh the strengths and weaknesses across different sectors ahead of key events on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 28
Macroeconomics: Wednesday is the central day of the week from a central bank policy perspective. The two-day FOMC meeting concludes, and a decision on U.S. interest rates will be announced in the evening. The Fed is expected to maintain rates at current levels; however, the tone of the statement and remarks from the Fed Chair could significantly influence market sentiments worldwide. Investors will be looking for hints about future monetary policy direction, considering U.S. inflation has been slowing in recent months. Almost simultaneously, the Bank of Canada is set to meet, where a rate hold is also anticipated, and the regulator's comments on economic risks will be crucial. Focus will also be directed at emerging markets in the evening: Brazil’s central bank (Copom) holds a late-night meeting where a decision may be made on whether to continue the rate-cutting cycle from the current 15%. Additionally, South Africa’s Reserve Bank begins a two-day meeting (results will be announced the following day). In Asia, there are no major publications, but attention is fixed on Japan as investors assess fresh inflation data (Japan’s core inflation slowed to approximately 2.4% YoY in December) and await the Bank of Japan’s response following its recent meeting. Moreover, India will host the Wings India 2026 airshow (January 28-31, Hyderabad), drawing leading aircraft manufacturers and airlines; this industry event could bring news related to major contracts and collaborations that might impact the aerospace sector.
Corporate Reports: Mid-week brings the most anticipated wave of corporate earnings reports, particularly in technology. After the U.S. market closes on January 28, three tech megacorporations will present their results for the fourth quarter of 2025: Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook). Microsoft’s report (to be released in the evening) will showcase the dynamics of cloud services and AI products—sustained growth in profitability for this business could support the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Tesla will report on electric vehicle deliveries and profitability—investors will monitor how price reductions on certain models have impacted margins. Meta will provide results in the online advertising segment and user engagement, serving as a litmus test for the social media market amid competing dynamics. Additionally, the evening will bring reports from several other S&P 500 companies: chip equipment manufacturer Lam Research and payment processor Mastercard are noteworthy. Interestingly, Mastercard will publish its fourth-quarter figures ahead of the market opening that same day, with transaction volume forecasts being critical for assessing consumer activity. From the traditional sector, Boeing’s report (if not released earlier in the morning) will attract attention—comments regarding new orders and supply chain recovery are important for the industry. In Europe, the morning will feature the release from Dutch company ASML—a leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment; ASML’s results will provide insight into the state of the global chipmaking cycle. Thus, Wednesday is expected to be a day of heightened volatility: the combination of central bank decisions and tech giants' reports could lead to sharp movements in indices and currency rates.
Thursday, January 29
Macroeconomics: On Thursday, focus shifts to other regions and data. In the first half of the day, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is anticipated to announce its decision on interest rates: the market is pricing in a hold at current levels (given inflation around 3% and previous reductions), but comments from the regulator regarding South Africa's economic outlook could impact the rand and the risk appetite for emerging markets. In Europe, significant regulatory decisions are absent (the ECB will meet next week); however, individual data releases may occur—such as preliminary inflation estimates from some eurozone countries or consumer confidence indicators. Investors will also continue to assess the aftermath of the FOMC meeting: the second day following announced policy often features market reassessments and corrections. In the U.S., traditional Thursday data on initial unemployment claims will be released—this timely labor market indicator will be of interest in the context of the Fed's rhetoric surrounding an "easing" economy. Additionally, towards month-end, the U.S. Treasury may announce updated plans for government debt issuance, influencing bond yields. It is also worth noting the political backdrop: there is one day remaining until the U.S. government's financing deadline, and news from Congress regarding budget approvals or another temporary agreement (or the lack thereof) could significantly impact markets.
Corporate Reports: January 29 will see a new wave of major corporate releases on both sides of the Atlantic. The main event of the day will be Apple’s financial results—the world's most valuable company will report after the U.S. market closes. This marks the first quarter of Apple's 2026 fiscal year, encompassing the holiday season, so record revenues are anticipated: sales of new iPhone models and trends in the services business are especially interesting. Any surprises from Apple could significantly impact the Nasdaq and the entire tech sector. Also presenting quarterly results on Thursday evening will be Visa—the largest payment processor, indicative of global consumer spending levels. Analysts expect growth in electronic payment volumes; investors will focus on Visa’s forecasts for 2026 considering the macro environment. Before market opening on Thursday, competitor Visa—Mastercard—will report (as noted, its data may be available as early as the morning): together, the reports of these two payment giants will provide a comprehensive picture of trends in cashless payments and tourism. In Europe on Thursday morning, tech giant SAP (Germany) will release its 2025 results—investors will evaluate SAP's cloud services growth and its outlook for the new year, which is significant for the European tech sector. Additionally, Nokia will report in Europe: this Finnish company’s release (early in the day) will show demand for 5G telecom equipment, especially amid stiff competition in the global communication market. In the Russian market, no significant financial releases are expected on Thursday; however, specific corporate events will occur, such as "All Tools" releasing production results for 2025, and real estate developer "Samolyot" hosting an Investor Day, where market forecasts may be provided. Therefore, on Thursday, investors will receive important guidance from leaders in the tech and financial sectors, aiding in strategy adjustments before week-end.
Friday, January 30
Macroeconomics: The week concludes with the publishing of key statistical data, particularly in Europe and Asia. In the Eurozone, the preliminary GDP estimate for the fourth quarter of 2025 will be released on Friday. Economists are forecasting weak growth or stagnation for the eurozone economy at year-end—a figure close to 0% QoQ amid high ECB rates and energy uncertainties. Actual GDP numbers will shape sentiment: better-than-expected growth could support the euro and European stocks, while negative dynamics could heighten discussions about a potential easing of ECB policy later in 2026. Additionally, data from leading Eurozone countries (Germany and France) is often released that same day; particular attention is directed toward Germany, where industrial decline may have stymied growth. In Asia early on Friday, Japan's inflation for January will be revealed—the consumer price index for Tokyo serves as a leading indicator for all of Japan. A further slowdown in annual inflation to around ~2% is expected, which may strengthen views on the temporary nature of the price surge in Japan and reduce pressure on the Bank of Japan regarding tightening policy. In the U.S., macro statistics may be limited due to recent budget disputes: the report on U.S. fourth-quarter GDP was originally scheduled for January 30 but depended on government funding for statistical agencies. If the U.S. government is not shut down by this day, data on personal income and spending for December (including PCE inflation) may be published, allowing investors to evaluate consumer spending dynamics at year-end. Finally, the political intrigue reaches a peak: January 30 marks the deadline for the U.S. temporary budget. If Congress does not approve funding, there exists a risk of a partial government shutdown effective January 31. Markets are particularly sensitive to this issue—throughout Friday, any news about progress in budget negotiations (or their failure) could trigger noticeable fluctuations in the dollar, treasury bonds, and the broader stock market.
Corporate Reports: Friday wraps up the week with a powerful crescendo featuring earnings reports from major oil and gas companies and other corporations. Before U.S. trading opens on January 30, results from two oil supermajors—ExxonMobil and Chevron—are expected. These reports are critical not only for the companies’ shareholders but also for the entire energy sector and commodity markets: strong profits and cash flows are anticipated due to high oil prices at the end of 2025. Investors are also looking for updates on share buyback programs and investment plans for 2026. Concurrently, financial conglomerate American Express (AXP) will report its outcomes—this Dow Jones issuer’s report will reflect trends in consumer spending in the premium segment and credit card debt levels. Also slated for Friday morning is the report from telecom giant Verizon, which will detail 5G subscriber growth and dividend forecasts; any surprises here could impact the entire communications sector. In Europe, Friday brings relative silence in terms of new reports (most EU companies have either reported in previous days or are preparing for February). However, in the Russian market, crucial operational data may surface on Friday: for instance, Russian oil companies traditionally publish production and export figures for the past quarter toward month’s end, which could affect oil and gas stock prices in Russia. No significant reports are expected after Friday’s market close—investors will summarize a bustling week and prepare for new data in the next.
Weekend, January 31 – February 1
Macroeconomics and Events: During the weekend, markets take a breather, although attention shifts to Asia. On Saturday, January 31, China will release its official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for January. This release occurs even over the weekend as it’s a key indicator for the world's second-largest economy. A PMI reading around the neutral level of 50 is expected—sustaining near this mark would confirm the stabilization of China's industrial growth. An improvement in PMI above 50 would be a positive sign indicating an acceleration of activity ahead of the Spring Festival, while a fall below 50 would intensify concerns over weak domestic demand. On Sunday, February 1, no significant economic events are scheduled. However, investors will be watching developments in Washington: if the U.S. budget crisis is not resolved by Saturday, partial operations of the federal government will commence on Sunday—the markets will open the following week taking this factor into account. Additionally, a string of holidays is approaching in Asia—the onset of February will trigger market participants to consider the upcoming Chinese New Year (with peak celebrations on February 17) and the associated extended weekends on Asian exchanges.
Conclusion: What Investors Should Consider
The week of January 26 to February 1, 2026, promises to be eventful and will require investors to maintain heightened awareness of the news backdrop. **Firstly**, the outcome of the FOMC meeting and accompanying comments will set the direction for global markets—even without a change in rates, the tone of statements regarding the fight against inflation will be crucial. **Secondly**, a series of macro reports (Eurozone GDP, China’s PMI, Japan’s inflation, and U.S. consumer confidence) will allow for adjustments in forecasts for global growth: improved metrics will support risk appetite for assets, while weak data may heighten demand for safe-haven instruments (bonds, gold). **Thirdly**, the peak of corporate earnings season continues: the results from giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Meta, Visa, ExxonMobil, and others may lead to a reallocation of capital among sectors. Investors must not only keep track of earnings surpassing or missing forecasts but also pay attention to management guidance for 2026—many companies share outlooks for the entire year, affecting their stock valuations. **Finally**, geopolitical and political factors cannot be overlooked: the potential U.S. government shutdown at the week’s end poses risks to credit ratings and confidence in the dollar, as well as representing an indicator of American lawmakers’ ability to negotiate. On the global stage, signs of stabilization (for example, progress in peace negotiations regarding conflicts) or, conversely, new hotspots of tension will reflect on commodity prices and EM currencies. In anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year and the related breaks in operations on Asian exchanges, investors across the globe should timely rebalance their portfolios. In summary, the week is expected to bring volatility, but also presents opportunities: diligent analysis of economic trends and corporate reports will aid in making informed investment decisions.
