Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of February 2–8, 2026: Global PMI, Central Bank Decisions, US Nonfarm Payrolls, and Earnings Reports from Major Companies in the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia.
The new week of February 2–8, 2026 brings a robust agenda for the markets. Investors worldwide will be monitoring the continuation of the corporate earnings season (in the US, the earnings reporting period for the fourth quarter of 2025 is concluding, with approximately 75% of companies already surpassing earnings per share (EPS) forecasts), while simultaneously assessing critical macroeconomic events. Key points of focus include central bank decisions (Bank of England, ECB), fresh data on PMI, inflation, and the labor market, alongside geopolitical factors. Below is a day-by-day overview of what to expect each day of the week, with particular attention for Russian investors operating overseas.
Monday, February 2, 2026
- Macroeconomics: At the start of the week, business activity indicators are critical. Early in the morning, the China Caixin Manufacturing PMI will set the tone for Asian markets. In Europe, Germany will publish retail sales data for December, providing insight into consumer demand in the eurozone's leading economy. In the afternoon, investors will await a key report from the US – the ISM Manufacturing Index for January, reflecting activity in the US industrial sector. Strong or weak PMI readings could influence sentiments regarding global growth at the start of the week.
- Corporate Reports (before market opens): The highlight of the day will be the earnings report from Walt Disney Co. (S&P 500) for the first financial quarter of 2026, which will be released before trading begins in New York. This is one of the most anticipated reports: investors will gauge the performance of Disney's streaming business and theme park attendance post-holiday season. Also reporting before the open are some industrial and food companies in the US, although their market impact will be less pronounced compared to Disney.
- Corporate Reports (after market closes): After the main trading session concludes in the US, quarterly results from several technology companies will emerge. Specifically, results are expected from Palantir Technologies (data analytics, S&P 500) and chip maker NXP Semiconductors. The market's reaction to their reports will help gauge investor appetite for the tech sector amid changing interest rates. Overall, Monday will set the initial tone for the week, demonstrating whether the positive sentiment from previous reports persists.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Macroeconomics: On Tuesday, the focus shifts to the Asia-Pacific region. Early in the morning, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will hold a meeting regarding interest rates. This is the RBA's first decision of 2026, and investors will assess the regulator's rhetoric against the backdrop of the Australian economy and global commodity prices. Important New Zealand labor market data for Q4 2025 will also be released overnight — employment figures and the unemployment rate will signal the health of the NZ economy and indirectly indicate regional demand. In Europe, a report from the ECB on bank lending is expected, reflecting lending conditions in the eurozone. Additionally, data may be released regarding new car registrations in Europe, which is relevant for evaluating demand in the automotive sector. In the afternoon in the US, figures for January auto sales will be published, serving as an indicator of consumer activity in the automotive sector.
- Corporate Reports (before market opens): Tuesday features a rich slate of large corporate earnings, particularly in the healthcare and consumer sectors. Before US exchanges open, two pharmaceutical giants from the S&P 500, Pfizer and Merck & Co., will release their results. Their quarterly reports will demonstrate how 2025 concluded for the pharmaceutical sector, including vaccine and drug sales, and will provide forecasts for 2026. Also reporting before the open is PepsiCo — a leader in the consumer sector, and its results for beverage and snack sales for Q4 will be indicative of consumer demand. European companies will be less active on Tuesday: no significant reports from Euro Stoxx 50 companies are scheduled, so European investors will primarily react to macro statistics.
- Corporate Reports (after market closes): After US trading sessions close on Tuesday, a series of important reports from tech and other companies are expected. The quarterly report from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a major chip manufacturer, will be central — its results will illuminate semiconductor demand and the industry's condition. Reports are also anticipated from biotech giant Amgen, restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, and video game developer Electronic Arts. Additionally, fintech leader PayPal Holdings will publish its results (expected either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, depending on the schedule), which is critical for evaluating trends in the electronic payment space. The market's reaction to Tuesday evening's reports will establish whether the trend of beating earnings forecasts, noted earlier, persists, or if investors become more selective.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
- Macroeconomics: Wednesday will bring several significant economic publications. In Asia, early in the morning, the China Caixin Services PMI for January will be released, reflecting the service sector's status in the world's second-largest economy. Next, Europe will take center stage: in the first half of the day, the preliminary consumer price index (CPI inflation) for the eurozone for January will be published. Inflation in Europe remains a key benchmark for the ECB, so any deviation from the target could impact expectations ahead of the ECB's meeting the following day. In the US, the ADP Employment Report for January will be released on Wednesday, serving as a preliminary indicator ahead of the official labor market data on Friday. Additionally, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index for January will be published during the day, showing business activity in the largest sector of the US economy. These data will help assess whether steady job and service sector growth persists in the US at the year’s start.
- Corporate Reports (Europe morning): Wednesday will see major companies reporting on multiple continents. Before European markets open, UBS Group (Switzerland, part of Euro Stoxx 50) will present its results. UBS will publish its financials for Q4 2025 and the full year, which is the first complete quarter following the integration of Credit Suisse's assets, hence investors will carefully analyze profitability and stability metrics of the newly merged bank. Additionally, on the morning of February 4, the annual results from Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (included in Euro Stoxx 50) will be released. Novo Nordisk, one of Europe’s most valuable companies, will provide insights into last year’s performance, particularly in diabetes and obesity drug sales, which could impact the entire European healthcare market.
- Corporate Reports (before US market opens): Ahead of Wednesday’s New York session, important reports from US companies will continue to surface. Results are expected from pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Biogen, alongside reports from industrial sector representatives and consumer goods (e.g., General Motors may release profitability data amid its transition to electric vehicles if it chooses this date). Although the precise schedule may change, Wednesday morning will set the tone, especially if results turn out to be mixed — investors will compare the performance of pharmaceuticals and industry with prior tech sector performances.
- Corporate Reports (after market closes): The climax of Wednesday will be a block of reports from tech giants after US markets close. Primarily, Alphabet (Google) will publish its quarterly results — one of the largest companies in the S&P 500. Investors are anticipating data from Alphabet regarding ad revenues and cloud services, along with comments from management regarding expenditure on artificial intelligence — all of which will impact the communications services sector. Alongside Alphabet, other tech companies will report in the evening, including mobile chipset maker Qualcomm and several smaller firms. Additionally, reports in the communications and media sector may arise: for example, Fox Corporation or News Corp typically release quarterly results this week. Consequently, Wednesday evening will be indicative for the tech and media segments of the market. The reaction to these reports will set the mood ahead of Thursday's crucial events.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Macroeconomics – Central Banks: Thursday promises to be one of the most significant days of the week due to two key central bank meetings in Europe. The Bank of England (BoE) will meet in the morning to decide on interest rates; investors will be keen to see if the BoE maintains rates or makes adjustments in light of inflation trends and the UK economy's dynamics. Around noon (Moscow time) (morning in London), the European Central Bank (ECB) will hold a meeting also focused on monetary policy. The ECB will discuss interest rates and possibly future steps towards either stimulation or tightening — this meeting is particularly critical given recent inflation data released the day prior. Any comments from Christine Lagarde regarding price forecasts or economic growth may trigger notable fluctuations in the euro and European equities. Furthermore, early morning data on retail sales for December will provide insight into consumer spending at year-end in the eurozone. In the US, the macroeconomic landscape remains relatively calm: traditional weekly jobless claims data will be published, offering a current assessment of the labor market before Friday's comprehensive report.
- Geopolitics: February 5 marks the expiration of the Russian-American New START Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms (New START). Although not an economic event, it creates a backdrop of geopolitical tension. Investors are aware of this factor, as the absence of a new arms control agreement could increase uncertainty in US-Russia relations. Any statements from either side regarding the extension or terms of a new treaty will be closely monitored. Geopolitical stability is a vital aspect for global markets, and hence February 5 is a date attracting heightened attention in this context.
- Corporate Reports (before market opens): Thursday morning will continue the string of corporate publications in Europe. In particular, energy giant Shell plc (UK/Netherlands, part of FTSE 100 and significantly influencing Euro Stoxx 50) will report its Q4 2025 results. Oil and gas companies demonstrated high profits in 2025 due to stable oil prices, and Shell’s results will provide insight into the year’s performance and plans for returning capital to shareholders. Some US companies from the industrial and services sector may also report before trading opens, though the market will primarily await the evening publications.
- Corporate Reports (after market closes): Thursday evening after US exchanges close will see one of the most significant reports of the season — quarterly results from Amazon.com Inc. (part of S&P 500, one of the 'Magnificent 7'). Amazon will report on its key holiday quarter, showcasing sales dynamics in online retail, as well as profitability in its AWS cloud business and developments in artificial intelligence initiatives. Given Amazon's scale, the market's reaction to these figures could greatly impact sentiments in the tech sector and the Nasdaq overall. In addition to Amazon, several other notable companies will report in Thursday evening. For example, Uber Technologies (a leader in ride-hailing and delivery) will publish its financial results — investors will check how the growth in rides and deliveries impacts revenue and whether the company has approached profitability. There may also be reports from Detroit's automakers: while Ford and General Motors plan to officially disclose results next week, any advance data or comments are likely to leak and influence sector stock dynamics. Collectively, Thursday evening will wrap up the primary wave of reports for the week, and successes or disappointments in these publications will set the tone for the final trading day.
Friday, February 6, 2026
- Macroeconomics: The final working day of the week focuses on labor market data, which could become a decisive factor for investors' short-term sentiments. At 16:30 (Moscow time) on Friday, the eagerly awaited Nonfarm Payrolls report for the US job market in January will be released. The publication will include figures for jobs created, unemployment levels, and trends in average wages. This report traditionally causes significant volatility in stock, bond, and currency markets, as it offers the most comprehensive picture of the state of the world's largest economy at the year's start. Considering that the US Federal Reserve closely monitors the labor market in its policy formation, strong data could reinforce expectations for a tighter policy, while weak results could do the opposite. Simultaneously, a similar employment report from Canada for January will be released, which is crucial for the Canadian dollar's exchange rate and the oil market (through the lens of Canada’s economic outlook). Additionally, at 18:00 (Moscow time) in the US, the preliminary consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan for February will be published — a gauge of household sentiments that influences forecasts for consumer spending. In Asia on Friday morning, advance economic indicators for Japan (leading index for December) will be revealed, which, however, rarely significantly impact the markets. In summary, Friday is set to be the number one macroeconomic day of the week, with a particular focus on the US labor market.
- Corporate Reports: On Friday, the flow of corporate reports significantly diminishes, as companies less frequently choose the week's final day for releasing critical results. Nonetheless, some notable events are worth mentioning. In Tokyo, a financial report from Toyota Motor Corp. — the world's largest automaker and part of the Nikkei 225 — is anticipated. Toyota will disclose results for October–December 2025 (the third quarter of its 2026 fiscal year). These figures will indicate how the company is navigating global challenges — the semiconductor shortage, transition to electric vehicles, and fluctuations in the yen's exchange rate. Other industrial leaders in Japan may also report — for instance, the electronics sector (Sony held its presentation earlier on February 5, and the market will be assessing its outcomes). There are no major publications planned in Europe and the US for Friday, allowing investors to focus more on general conclusions for the recently concluded wave of earnings and macro statistics.
- Special Events: Besides the figures, an important global event begins at the end of the week — the XXV Winter Olympics will officially commence on Friday evening in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy). Although the Olympics is primarily a sports and image event, it will draw global media attention and may indirectly impact stocks of certain companies (e.g., sponsors, broadcasters, and the tourism sector in Italy). No direct effects are expected for financial markets, but the start of the Olympics symbolizes global cooperation and could enhance market participants' sentiments amid geopolitical risks.
Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Rest Day – Analysis and Informal Meetings: On Saturday, global financial markets are closed, and no scheduled economic reports will emerge. This day is used by investors and analysts to reflect on the week's outcomes. Informal meetings or statements from officials might take place. For instance, following the concluded meetings of central banks on Thursday and Friday, regulatory leaders may provide additional comments in interviews, which may find their way into weekend newspapers and set the tone for markets moving into the following week. Athletes continue to compete in the ongoing Olympics, and other forums are also in progress. No financial news is anticipated on Saturday, giving investors an opportunity to evaluate their strategies and prepare for a new week without the immediate pressure of trading.
Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Political Events: As the week concludes, on Sunday, attention will shift to political events that could influence the markets at the start of the following week. Thailand will hold early parliamentary elections, coinciding with a referendum on a new constitution. The results of these elections are important for Asian markets: potential shifts in political direction or coalition instability may reflect on the Thai stock market and its currency, the baht, potentially impacting other emerging markets in Southeast Asia through sentiment. Even more significant is the early election for the lower house of Japan's parliament. The Sunday vote in Japan will determine the balance of power in the government. Any changes to the ruling coalition or political direction could impact economic policy, including potential stimuli or reforms. On Monday morning, the Japanese Nikkei 225 index will react to the election results, prompting global investors to stay tuned for news over the weekend. Overall, Sunday’s political news may introduce volatility outside standard trading hours and will be accounted for in the market openings on Monday, February 9.
Conclusion: The week from February 2 to 8, 2026, promises to be rich in information for market participants. Investors should pay particular attention to central bank decisions (on Thursday) and the US employment report (on Friday) — these events could steer the trajectories of currency rates and bond yields, as well as shape overall risk appetite. Moreover, the ongoing corporate earnings season will influence the dynamics of specific stocks and sectors: strong results from tech giants or banks can support the entire market, whereas disappointments may trigger sell-offs in particular sectors. In the US, most companies have already delivered better-than-expected earnings, instilling confidence among investors — it is essential to gauge whether this trend continues in the remaining reports of the week. Equally vital are the geopolitical factors: the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the US, and elections in various countries remind us that, beyond economics, markets are also affected by security and political matters. Russian investors operating abroad are advised to closely monitor external signals throughout the week — global macro statistics and comments from financial authorities — as domestic drivers (such as the dynamics of the ruble or oil prices) will largely depend on the external backdrop. Overall, the strategy for the week should be diversification and careful responsiveness to incoming data. This week presents both opportunities (from positive surprises) and risks (in the event of negative news), so being prepared and having a plan of action for various scenarios is crucial for navigating global markets.
