Economic Events and Corporate Reports: Saturday, August 1, 2026 - Berkshire Hathaway’s Report, OPEC+ Meeting, and South Korea’s Trade Statistics
Saturday, August 1, 2026, marks the beginning of a new month in the global financial markets. Stock exchanges in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Moscow Exchange are closed; however, for investors, this day is far from "empty" on the calendar. Key economic events and corporate reports over the weekend are poised to set the direction for trading by the Monday opening: the market anticipates the quarterly report from Berkshire Hathaway, a virtual meeting of OPEC+ regarding oil production for September, and the July trade statistics from South Korea—a traditional barometer of global trade. In Russia, a package of regulatory changes comes into effect on August 1, including the recalculation of pensions for working retirees. We analyze the main events of the day and the weekend that are significant for the stock market and private investors.
Why This Saturday is Important for Investors
August 1 falls at the intersection of two busy weeks. Behind us lies the meeting of the US Federal Reserve (with rates held at around 3.75%), a wave of reports from American tech giants, and the IFRS report from Norilsk Nickel for the first half of the year. Ahead are indices for business activity such as ISM and PMI from China, reports from Russian issuers, and the July labor market report from the US. The weekend of August 1-2 brings together several catalysts:
- the publication of Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly report, traditionally released in the first days of August;
- an online meeting of seven key OPEC+ countries to discuss quotas for September;
- data on South Korea's exports and imports for July—a leading indicator of global demand;
- the implementation of new norms in Russia affecting pensions, taxes, and utilities.
Berkshire Hathaway: The Main Corporate Report of the Weekend
The central corporate event is the report from Berkshire Hathaway for the second quarter of 2026. Warren Buffett and Greg Abel's holding company historically publishes its quarterly results on the first Saturday of August, and this year the market expects the release between August 1-3. This is the only major stock in the S&P 500 whose report typically comes out on a non-trading day, allowing investors time to calmly analyze the figures ahead of the market opening.
What Analysts Expect from the Report
- Revenue around $95.3 billion—a growth of approximately 3% year-over-year.
- Class B earnings per share at $5.24 compared to $5.17 a year earlier.
- Trends in the insurance business: GEICO's margin remains under pressure due to rising payout costs and customer acquisition expenses, while the insurance float exceeds $176 billion.
- The size of the cash buffer and the activity of stock buybacks—a key signal of management's views on market valuation.
- Initial results under Greg Abel's leadership following Buffett's departure as CEO and the integration of the $8.5 billion acquisition of Taylor Morrison Home.
Berkshire's shares have lagged behind the broad market this year amid a reduction in the "Buffett premium" and a low share of the tech sector in the portfolio, so the reaction to the report on Monday could be highly volatile.
OPEC+ Meeting on August 2: Decision on Oil Production for September
On Sunday, August 2, seven key OPEC+ producers—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman—will hold a virtual meeting to set quotas for September. The baseline market scenario anticipates another increase in production of about 188,000 barrels per day, which would conclude the phased reversal of the voluntary cuts of 1.65 million barrels that have been in place since 2023.
There are two crucial points for the oil market:
- Possible pause after September. A freeze on quotas is being discussed from October 2026 to January 2027, which would maintain approximately 2 million barrels per day in restrictions and support Brent prices.
- Geopolitical background. The gradual recovery of exports through the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict over Iran and the UAE's exit from OPEC limit the actual effect of increased quotas: the real production levels of several countries remain below permitted limits.
The outcomes of the meeting will directly affect the shares of the oil and gas sector—from ExxonMobil and Shell to Rosneft and Lukoil—along with the value of the ruble and commodity currencies.
South Korea's Trade Statistics: A Barometer of the Global Economy
On the morning of August 1, the South Korean customs service traditionally publishes data on exports and imports for July—regardless of the weekend. Korean statistics are regarded as a leading indicator of global trade and demand for semiconductors: the dynamics of chip supplies from Samsung and SK Hynix reflect the state of the global technology cycle and indirectly influence sentiments regarding shares of Nvidia, TSMC, and the entire Nikkei 225 index. Against the backdrop of US tariff policy, investors will be looking for signs of a slowdown in Asian exports within these figures.
Russia and the CIS: What Changes on August 1, 2026
For the Russian market, Saturday is the day when around 90 federal regulatory acts come into effect. The most significant changes for household economics include:
- Automatic recalculation of insurance pensions for working retirees: maximum increase—three pension points, about 470 rubles per month;
- Indexation of funded pensions by 17.3%, and for participants of the co-financing program—by 19.3%;
- Doubled fixed pension payment for citizens who reached 80 years old in July;
- Transition to electronic format for tax notifications on property taxes and income tax via "Gosuslugi";
- New requirements for detailing utility bills.
The additional support to disposable incomes is a moderately positive factor for the consumer sector of the Moscow Exchange, including retail and banking.
US Tariff Policy: The Background for August
The trade agenda remains a key source of risk for global markets. In August, investors are watching the impending implementation of a 50% tariff on Canadian goods, effective August 19, and the 25% tariff on imports from Brazil. The escalation of trade restrictions increases uncertainty for Euro Stoxx 50 exporters and Asian manufacturers while also sustaining inflation expectations in the US, limiting the Federal Reserve's flexibility to cut rates.
Week's Summary: Context Before Monday's Opening
The past week concluded with the publication of Norilsk Nickel's IFRS half-year report and operational results from MD Medical, as well as a block of corporate reports in the US. The S&P 500 index remains near historical highs with the Federal Reserve rate around 3.75% and inflation at approximately 3.5%—a combination that makes the market particularly sensitive to macroeconomic statistics at the beginning of August.
Calendar for the Upcoming Week: Key Events
- August 3 - ISM index for the US manufacturing sector, PMI for China's industry (RatingDog, formerly Caixin), TGK-1 IFRS report for the half-year.
- August 5 - Rosteсom's IFRS report for the six months of 2026.
- August 6 - Unipro's IFRS results.
- August 7 - July labor market report from the US (Non-Farm Payrolls), a key release for Fed rate expectations.
What Investors Should Pay Attention to
Saturday, August 1, 2026, is a day for preparation rather than trading. Investors should focus on three areas. First, the Berkshire Hathaway report: the holding's cash position and Greg Abel's comments will serve as indicators of "smart money" attitudes toward current market valuations. Second, the OPEC+ decision on August 2: a signal of a pause in increasing production after September could support oil prices and shares in the commodities sector, while a continuation of aggressive production quota increases could pressure Brent prices. Third, the macroeconomic statistics at the month's opening—from Korean exports to the US ISM and employment reports—will shape expectations for the Fed's rate direction. A well-considered position ahead of Monday's opening, monitoring commodity asset allocations, and paying attention to tariff news from Washington remain the basic strategy as August begins.
