Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Sunday, March 1, 2026: PMIs from China and Russia, Global Market Expectations, and Preparation for the Opening of the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and MOEX Investor Analytics
Sunday, March 1, marks a rare day for the market: most exchanges (U.S., Europe, Russia) are closed, liquidity is low, and market reactions to news often emerge on Monday. Nevertheless, the beginning of the month traditionally brings the publication of Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMI) and a series of regulatory deadlines that shape expectations regarding the global economy, commodities, and currencies. For investors in the CIS, the key task of the day is to assemble a "risk map" ahead of the week opening: assess signals from China and Russia, check the energy market agenda, and prepare for a plethora of data and corporate reports on Monday.
Global Monthly Agenda: Why March 1 Influences Risk Appetite
- PMI as an Early Indicator of the Cycle. Purchasing Managers' Indexes in manufacturing and services often set the tone for expectations regarding inflation, interest rates, and corporate profits, especially over the next 1-3 months.
- Portfolio Rotation at Month-End. At the turn of the month, rebalancing among funds and systematic strategies often intensifies: even with a "quiet" calendar, this increases the likelihood of gaps at the open.
- Energy and Regulatory Agenda. Deadlines concerning gas/sanctions/diversification of supplies in Europe often reflect in risk premiums in oil, gas, and sector stocks.
Economic Events of the Day: Asia as the First Signal of the Month
The Asian block remains the primary source of macro impulses on Sunday due to early publications and the markets' high sensitivity to the state of Chinese demand.
China: Official PMIs (NBS) for February
- NBS Manufacturing PMI (February). A key barometer of industrial demand, supply chains, and export dynamics.
- NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI (February). A snapshot of services and construction — crucial for assessing domestic demand and investment activity.
- Combined Insights for the Markets. Strong PMIs typically support industrial metals, several emerging market currencies, and Asian indexes; weak ones enhance demand for defensive assets and may pressure cyclical sectors within the S&P 500 and Euro Stoxx 50.
Australia: Final S&P Global Manufacturing PMI
- S&P Global Australia Manufacturing PMI Final (February). The publication at the end of the day (UTC) may set the tone for the "Asian opening" of the new week, influencing the AUD, commodity assets, and overall risk appetite in the region.
Europe and Russia: PMI and Energy Highlights
For European and Russian investors, signals regarding business activity and any news capable of altering expectations related to commodities, logistics, and sanctions risks are crucial.
Russia: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI
- S&P Global Russia Manufacturing PMI. An indicator of the state of the industry, orders, and price pressures. Together with the dynamics of the ruble and interest rates, it helps assess the margins of exporters and domestic demand.
European Energy Framework: Deadlines and Expectations
- Deadline for Preparation of National Plans for Gas Supply Diversification. Such regulatory events typically heighten focus on the structure of gas imports, spot prices, and contracts, alongside risks for energy-intensive sectors in Europe.
- Market Transmission. Increased uncertainty supports volatility in gas and electricity prices, influencing yield curves and sector dynamics within Euro Stoxx 50 through inflation expectations.
U.S.: Markets Closed, but Expectations Forming in Advance
U.S. markets are closed on Sunday; however, it is often at the end of the week and the beginning of the month that expectations regarding key Monday publications are formed. For CIS investors, a practical approach is to assess what scenarios concerning interest rates and inflation may be highlighted by the forthcoming block of indicators and to pre-determine risk levels for positions in the S&P 500 and the technology sector.
Corporate Reports: Sunday as a "Quiet" Day, but Not Empty
Sundays are rarely filled with corporate publications as companies prefer weekdays to ensure coverage by analysts and investors. Nevertheless, certain issuers may release results before the market opens or provide operational updates.
U.S.: Selected Reports and Operational Updates
- RadNet (RDNT). A report/update on results — potentially important for investors monitoring medical services and diagnostics, where sensitivity to interest rates and capital costs remains high.
Middle East: Reports from Major Issuers in the Region
- Some publicly traded companies of Saudi Arabia may release results on this day (according to the local schedule). For global portfolios, this is significant through the oil, petrochemical, and financial sectors of the region.
Russia: Corporate Calendar and Updates
- Potential trading/operational updates from selected issuers (including infrastructure companies) may be released at the beginning of the month. For IMOEX investors, it is important to monitor announcements regarding dividends, capital expenditures, and debt burden — these factors often outweigh the mere occurrence of "scheduled" publications.
What Investors Should Watch in Advance: Key Events for the Coming Working Day (Monday, March 2)
The primary market reaction to Sunday data and news typically manifests on Monday. Therefore, it is sensible to prepare a list of "opening triggers" by regions.
Macro (Expectations for March 2): U.S. and Global PMIs
- Final/official PMI indexes for key economies are capable of quickly changing expectations regarding interest rates and could lead to shifts in yields.
- ISM in the U.S. (if publication coincides with the upcoming open) traditionally impacts the dollar, UST curve, and sector dynamics in the S&P 500 (industrial companies, cyclical consumers, finance).
Corporate Reports (Expectations for March 2): U.S., Europe, Asia
Mondays are typically much richer in reports. Among the companies that investors often monitor due to capitalization and influence on indexes/sectors are:
- U.S. (selectively): Okta (OKTA), MongoDB (MDB), Heico (HEI), AES (AES), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), ADT (ADT), Sealed Air (SEE), California Resources (CRC), and several tech/energy issuers.
- Europe (selectively): infrastructure and energy companies, including issuers such as Cellnex (CLNX) and Galp (GALP) depending on the precise publication schedule.
- Asian Markets: Reports from major local issuers and banks are possible — particularly significant for investors evaluating the Nikkei 225 and regional supply chains.
Investor practice: pre-mark high-risk windows (before the open/after the close), determine hedges for indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50), and check portfolio correlations with oil/gas.
Conclusion: What CIS Investors Should Pay Attention to Before the Week's Opening
The main message for Sunday, March 1, 2026, is preparation for Monday. The focus is on: (1) official PMIs from China as signals for global demand and the commodity cycle; (2) Russian PMI as an early indicator of domestic business activity and price pressure; (3) the energy and regulatory agenda of Europe, which may affect risk premiums in commodity assets; (4) the list of key corporate reports for the upcoming working day that could set the tone for the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and IMOEX.
Before the week's opening, investors should: update scenarios concerning interest rates and inflation, set risk levels for positions, check exposure to commodities and currencies, and pre-determine which reports and macro publications are critical for their portfolio structure.
