Key Economic Events on January 2, 2026: PMI Releases from Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. Where Markets Are Closed for New Year and Where Trading Continues, and What Investors Should Pay Attention to at the Start of the Trading Year.
Friday, January 2, 2026, is expected to be relatively calm in global financial markets due to the ongoing New Year holidays. Most major exchanges remain closed, and investors are focusing on the upcoming releases of global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data in the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for release on Friday are PMI figures for Australia, India, Russia, Germany, the Eurozone, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. These statistics will provide the first indicators of the state of the global economy in the new year. In the corporate sector, there are few notable reports expected, with major financial results from large companies anticipated later in January-February. However, investors should pay attention to dividend announcements and specific corporate events. At the beginning of the week, markets will resume activity following the holidays, which will determine the dynamics of the indices. Overall, investors should be prepared for reduced liquidity and increased volatility— even minor news can lead to sharp market movements.
Macroeconomic Calendar (Moscow Time)
- Australia: IHS Markit Manufacturing PMI (December) – 01:00 MSK (preliminary).
- India: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 08:00 MSK.
- Russia: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 09:00 MSK.
- Germany: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 11:55 MSK.
- Eurozone: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 12:00 MSK.
- United Kingdom: S&P Global/BME Manufacturing PMI (December) – 12:30 MSK.
- Brazil: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 16:00 MSK.
- Canada: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December) – 17:30 MSK.
- USA: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (December, final) – 17:45 MSK.
Trading Sessions and New Year Holidays
- Markets closed: China, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan (New Year).
- Markets open: The USA and Canada return to their normal schedule on January 2 (following the holiday on January 1).
- Russian Markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is closed on January 2 for the holiday, while the St. Petersburg Exchange will trade as usual.
- Australian markets are open for trading, but major financial releases will be published in the morning (PMI, see above).
Global Markets and Indices
- USA (S&P 500): Markets will resume trading after the holidays; investors are watching the PMI data and await quarterly reports from companies later in the month.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Major European exchanges are closed on Friday; indicators will be guided by PMI from Germany and the Eurozone, as well as oil prices and euro/dollar rates.
- Asia (Nikkei 225): Japanese markets remain on holiday; Chinese and Hong Kong exchanges are also closed for New Year. The rest of the Asia-Pacific segment enters the new year without major data.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): No trading on MOEX at the moment; pressure on the ruble will continue from global oil prices and geopolitical factors. Trading on major platforms is expected to resume in the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Due to the holidays, there are virtually no major reports on Friday. Many companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will announce results later in January. Smaller tech players continue their reporting schedule: for example, Taylor Devices (NASDAQ:TAYD) is expected to report for Q3 of FY2026 (end of December 2025).
- Some companies are announcing dividends at the start of the year. NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) has declared a dividend of $0.52 with a record date of January 2, 2026 (payment on January 21). American Express (NYSE:AXP) has already announced a dividend with a record date of January 2, 2026. These events will attract the attention of dividend investors.
- Overall, the earnings season has not yet commenced. Investors are focused on external indicators and statements from central bank leaders (although there are no meetings of the Fed or ECB scheduled for this week).
End of Day: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. The New Year holidays reduce trading volumes. With limited activity, even minor news can trigger sharp market movements. Investors need to manage risks and approach trades thoughtfully ahead of a full resumption of trading.
- PMI Releases. PMI indices (Australia, India, Europe, USA, etc.) will serve as the first major economic signals of the new year. An increase or decrease in PMI will indicate the pace of economic activity and may influence investor sentiment and exchange rates.
- The Corporate Sector. Although there are few significant reports today, a series of publications from major companies (tech giants, banks, energy firms) are expected by the end of January. Early signals will come, in particular, from dividend cuts (see NetApp, AmEx) and reports from specific sectors.
- Oil and the Ruble. Oil prices remain a key driver for the ruble market. Investors should monitor the energy market: even small changes in oil prices can significantly impact the Russian currency and the MOEX index.
- Global Context. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it is also important to pay attention to political news and trade statements (such as tariffs or geopolitical issues) that may set the tone for markets in the first week of the year. In the current climate, conservative strategies and diversification remain priorities.
This brief overview provides key guidelines for investors on January 2, 2026. Keep a close eye on the publication of statistics, the dynamics of major indices, and corporate news to make informed investment decisions.
