Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Sunday, January 18, 2026. China's GDP, Asian Macroeconomic Statistics, and the Global Environment for Investors in World Markets.
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, global financial markets are anticipating a relatively calm day. Major US and European exchanges are closed for the weekend (with a long weekend in the US for Martin Luther King Jr. Day), and consequently, there are no new macroeconomic statistics or corporate reports scheduled for these regions. However, investors are focused on important publications from Asia and several reports from major companies in emerging markets, which are expected to shed light on industry conditions and set the tone for the trading session at the beginning of the new week. Investor sentiment from the CIS countries and around the world remains cautious: key global indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Moscow Exchange index (MOEX)) ended the previous week without significant changes, concentrating on future signals for their strategies.
USA (S&P 500 Index)
- US markets are closed on January 18, and no new economic releases or corporate reports from S&P 500 companies are scheduled for Sunday. Investors continue to digest the previous week’s data: December's Producer Price Index (PPI) in the US has slowed, confirming the trend of easing price pressure, while industrial production slightly exceeded forecasts, indicating some stabilization in the manufacturing sector. The absence of news on the weekend and the upcoming holiday mean that attention is shifting to the upcoming events of the new week — discussions will center on the prospects of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy following the recent rate-cutting cycle and the continuation of the corporate earnings season in the US.
Europe (Euro Stoxx 50 Index)
- In the European region, Sunday also offers no significant events: markets are in a state of pause, and financial reports from companies in the Euro Stoxx 50 are not being published on this day. European investors are using the lull to prepare for upcoming statistical reports at the beginning of the week. On Monday, the final inflation estimate for the Eurozone for December will be released, which, according to preliminary data, has decreased to just over 2% year-on-year — this reinforces expectations that the European Central Bank will refrain from tightening policy at its next meeting. Additionally, the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 19–23) begins on Monday, where global leaders and corporate heads will discuss global economic risks and prospects — statements from this forum may shape the informational backdrop for European markets in the coming week.
China: Q4 2025 GDP and December Statistics
- In China, the release of key macroeconomic indicators is scheduled for the morning of Monday. First, China's GDP growth for Q4 2025 will be announced — a moderate increase of approximately +4.8% year-on-year is expected, comparable to the dynamics of the previous quarter. This figure will indicate whether the second-largest economy in the world has managed to maintain expansion amid falling exports and limited stimuli. Second, data on industrial production and retail sales for December will also be released. Forecasts suggest that Chinese factory output continued its steady growth (around +4–5% year-on-year), while consumer spending remains subdued (retail sales are anticipated to rise by only ~1% year-on-year). The results of the Chinese statistics will set the tone for Asian markets and commodity prices: stronger numbers may raise risk appetite and support prices for oil and metals, while weak reports will heighten concerns about the slowdown in the global economy.
Japan: Machinery Orders
- In Japan, statistics on machinery orders for November 2025 will be released on the night of January 19 (Monday). The previous month showed a significant decrease in this indicator (-4% month-on-month in October), reflecting business caution regarding capital expenditures. Expected data for November could indicate a recovery in orders — preliminary estimates suggest growth of around +7% month-on-month, signaling a return to investment by companies. Although Japanese markets are closed on Sunday, the publication of this indicator prior to the opening of trading in Tokyo could influence the dynamics of the Nikkei 225 index and the yen's exchange rate: improved statistics may bolster investor confidence in the stability of the Japanese economy and support demand for industrial sector stocks.
South Korea: Producer Price Index
- The Bank of Korea will present data on the Producer Price Index (PPI) for December. It is expected that producer inflation in South Korea has remained moderate: estimates suggest that PPI growth in December was around +2% year-on-year, only slightly accelerating from 1.7% in November. Moderate growth rates of producer prices indicate subdued price pressure in supply chains and may signal a stabilization of inflation trends in the region. Although the South Korean PPI rarely has a noticeable impact on global markets, its dynamics are of interest as a leading indicator for consumer inflation and the condition of the industrial sector in one of Asia's largest economies.
India: Major Quarterly Company Reports
- In India, the active corporate earnings season continues, with several major public companies publishing their financial results for the October–December 2025 period (Q3 of the 2026 fiscal year). Among them are Hindustan Zinc (mining sector), Punjab National Bank (one of the largest state-owned banks), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (engineering and power equipment), and Havells India (consumer electronics). Investors are closely examining these reports to assess the condition of key sectors of the Indian economy: for example, PNB's results will indicate trends in lending and asset quality in the banking system, while Hindustan Zinc's figures will reflect the impact of metal prices on the profits of resource companies. The reaction of the local market (BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices) to these reports will be evident on Monday and will set the tone for other emerging markets.
Middle East and Other Markets: Reports from Qatar Islamic Bank, Almarai, Nanya, and Virbac
- Among other notable corporate events on Sunday are the publication of results from Qatar Islamic Bank (the largest Islamic bank in Qatar) and the Saudi company Almarai (the leading dairy producer in the region) for Q4 2025. These reports will show the state of the financial sector in the Gulf and consumer demand in the Middle East amid stable oil prices. In Asia, quarterly results from Taiwan's Nanya Technology — a major memory chip manufacturer — will serve as one of the indicators for the technology sector: investors are looking for signals of a revival in demand for chips after a period of decline. In Europe, the report from the French pharmaceutical company Virbac, which will disclose revenue data for the fourth quarter, should be noted. Although Virbac's report has a local character, the cumulative corporate news from various regions provides a broad view of the state of global business at the beginning of the year.
Russia (MOEX Index)
- January 18 is a holiday for the Russian market: trading on the Moscow Exchange is not taking place, and financial reports from major companies (included in the MOEX index) are not being published on this date. However, it is still essential for Russian investors to monitor the external environment, which is forming on Sunday. Primarily, the results of Chinese statistics and corporate news from Asia will serve as benchmarks: a strengthening Chinese economy could support prices for oil and metals, which would be positive for the stocks of resource companies and the ruble. Oil prices are holding around $62–64 per barrel of Brent and their relative stability over the weekend gives the Russian market a breather. However, any unexpected statements on a global level or changes in the geopolitical situation could influence investor sentiment by the time trading opens in Moscow on Monday.
Overall, this Sunday is lacking in events, but certain Asian releases and reports create an important informational backdrop for global investors. Special attention should be paid to the publication of China's GDP — its results will help assess the growth trajectory of the second-largest economy in the world and sentiment in commodity markets. Additionally, the start of the World Economic Forum will be in focus: from tomorrow, statements from global leaders in Davos may set the tone for regional markets. Any unexpectedly strong (or weak) data could adjust expectations regarding further actions by central banks and affect risk appetite. At the start of the new week, the combination of macroeconomic indicators and corporate reports will determine the dynamics of key indices and investor sentiment from the CIS countries and around the world.
