Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026: Chinese PMI Index, U.S. Budget Crisis Averted, and a Pause in the Earnings Season. An Analytical Review for Investors.
Day Overview for Investors
The final day of January is relatively calm for global markets but holds significant signals. Investors are focused on the morning PMI data from China, which will indicate the state of manufacturing and the services sector at the beginning of 2026. Concurrently, the U.S. has managed to avoid the threat of a shutdown: Congress passed a temporary budget decision, removing immediate political risk. The lack of major corporate reports this Saturday allows market participants the opportunity to reflect on the month's outcomes and prepare for a new trading phase.
Key Economic Events (Time – MSK)
- 04:30 – China: PMI Manufacturing, Services, and Composite indices for January.
U.S.: Budget Compromise Averts Shutdown
The United States has avoided a shutdown of the federal government. At the last minute, Republicans and Democrats in Congress reached an agreement on funding: a spending package has been adopted to extend the operations of most agencies until the end of September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was allocated a temporary funding extension for several weeks, reflecting the compromise nature of the agreement.
This news has been a relief for the markets: the risk of an immediate shutdown has been eliminated, and the economic consequences have been minimized for now. Investors have reacted positively to the averting of a budget crisis, as a shutdown could have lowered U.S. GDP and increased volatility in stock markets. However, political uncertainty has not completely vanished: ongoing negotiations regarding the budget and long-term spending continue to present a tension factor that could impact business confidence and the value of the dollar.
China: January PMI Reflects Economic Trends
The official Chinese PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) for January shows continued moderate growth at the start of the year. The manufacturing PMI is expected to be around the key threshold of 50 points, which separates growth from decline (December's figure was about 50.1). An actual value around 50.2 signals weak expansion in China's industry, indicating gradual stabilization following the fluctuations at the end of 2025. The non-manufacturing PMI (services and construction) also remains slightly above 50, reflecting 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 instils moderate optimism: demand in China is not shrinking, supporting commodity prices and exporters' revenues. However, growth rates remain close to zero, and any decline in the PMI could heighten concerns regarding the slowdown of Asian and global economic growth. Investors in emerging markets and commodity sectors are closely monitoring Chinese indicators, correlating production and services dynamics with expectations for exports, commodity consumption, and profits of multinational corporations.
Global Markets: January Recap
January 2026 has proven to be an ambiguous month for key stock indices. The American S&P 500 closes the month with a moderate increase: strong earnings reports from several tech giants have supported the U.S. market, offsetting concerns surrounding inflation and Fed rates. The European Euro Stoxx 50 moved similarly, managing to show slight growth against a backdrop of resilient 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 around the flat line, reflecting investors' caution in light of mixed macroeconomic indicators from China and the Bank of Japan's actions.
For the Russian market, January also passed relatively calmly. The Moscow Exchange index oscillated within a narrow range, reacting to fluctuations in oil prices and general risk appetite in emerging markets. Overall, the results of the first month of 2026 demonstrate that global investors are balancing between hopes for a soft landing for the world economy and concerns regarding inflation risks. Future trends will largely depend on new data and corporate results in the upcoming weeks.
Corporate Reports: Major Public Companies Reporting on January 31, 2026
No financial reports from major companies are scheduled for Saturday, January 31, as this day falls on a weekend for global markets. In the calendars for the U.S. (S&P 500 index) and Europe (Euro Stoxx 50), there are no “blue-chip” reports. The same applies to Asian stock giants and issuers on the Moscow Exchange – there is nothing for investors to evaluate on the corporate front today.
The pause in the earnings season allows for the analysis of already released results and preparation for a new wave of reports expected in early February. In the U.S., several technology and consumer leaders, including Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.com, are set to report next week. These releases capture the attention of the entire market. In Europe, investors will be eyeing figures from industrial conglomerates and banks. Thus, today's break provides an opportunity to assess overarching trends in the corporate sector – revenue growth, profitability, management outlooks – before new data begins to influence stock quotations in the coming days.
What Investors Should Focus On
- Chinese PMI Data: Compare actual manufacturing and services indices with the threshold level of 50 points and forecasts. A stronger-than-expected PMI may enhance sentiment in commodity markets and support shares of resource companies, while weak figures could reinforce concerns about demand in Asia.
- Budget Situation in the U.S.: Monitor developments following the temporary compromise. The absence of a shutdown removes short-term risk, but discussions surrounding the budget and national debt will continue. Any new disagreements or threats may once again raise volatility in the dollar and U.S. government bonds.
- Earnings Season: Utilize the weekend pause to evaluate key insights from already published quarterly reports. It is essential to focus not only on profit figures but also on companies' forecasts regarding demand, margins, and capital expenditures for 2026, particularly in the energy and banking sectors, where expectations regarding rates and the lending cycle are critical. This will help adjust sector expectations ahead of the new wave of earnings reports.
- Preparation for the New Week: Considering January's outcomes and current news, formulate an action plan for early February. Investors in CIS countries should take into account 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 important: balance the portfolio considering global factors and be prepared for possible index fluctuations.
In conclusion, Saturday, January 31, offers markets a respite to reassess the situation. Despite the limited number of events, the signals received – from Chinese PMI to the American budget compromise – are forming the foundation for sentiments at the beginning of February. It is beneficial for investors to use this day for analysis and preparation, ensuring they enter the new trading week with a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic and corporate trends.
