Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Saturday, January 3, 2026. Global Macroeconomic Overview, State of US, European, Asian, and Russian Stock Markets, Key Indicators for Investors.
Saturday, January 3, 2026, is expected to be an extremely quiet day in global financial markets. The New Year festivities continue, and on this weekend, nearly all major exchanges remain closed. No significant economic publications are scheduled, leaving investors without new guidance. The corporate sector is also subdued—key company reports are expected only later, closer to mid-January. Nonetheless, market participants remain vigilant: any unexpected news, especially from the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, could influence sentiment ahead of the trading week opening.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- Australia: The S&P Global Services PMI for December and the composite PMI index are expected to be published throughout the day.
- No other significant macroeconomic data is released today, as most countries are not publishing statistics due to the holiday weekend. The first wave of economic indicators in the new year will begin next week in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Trading Sessions and New Year Holidays
- Exchanges Closed: All major global markets are not operating this Saturday as it is a common holiday for global financial markets.
- Continuation of Holidays: Many stock markets (including the US and Europe) have completed a shortened festive week and will resume full trading only on Monday, January 5.
- Russian Markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) continues its New Year holidays (trading is suspended until next week), and the St. Petersburg Exchange is also closed on January 3 due to the holiday.
- Middle East: Exchanges in several Gulf countries traditionally do not trade on Saturdays and will open tomorrow, January 4, starting their first trading session of the new year.
Global Markets and Indices
- US (S&P 500): American markets are closed for the holiday. After the first trading day of the new year, US investors are assessing the prospects for the start of 2026; attention is shifting to upcoming macroeconomic events, including the release of the ISM business activity index early in the week and the key employment report (Non-Farm Payrolls) on January 9. Additionally, the market is awaiting signals ahead of the new corporate earnings season.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): European exchanges are also non-functional on the weekends; key indices in the region have passed through the festive period without significant changes. European investors are focused on the opening of trading on January 5 and upcoming economic data for the European Union (inflation, business activity), as well as external factors such as oil price dynamics and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- Asia (Nikkei 225): Major markets in the Asia-Pacific region are on pause due to the holidays. In Japan, the New Year festivities are concluding (trading on the Tokyo exchange will resume next week), while Chinese and several other Asian exchanges are also closed. Regional investors are monitoring the external environment and preparing for the resumption of trading on Monday.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): No trading is taking place on Russian exchanges due to ongoing New Year holidays. The ruble and MOEX indices remain stable amid low activity, but as the market returns after the holidays, they will again begin to react to external drivers—primarily fluctuations in oil prices and geopolitical factors. It is expected that trading activity on MOEX will recover in the second week of January.
Corporate Reports
- Company Reports: Due to the holiday, there are no major financial results published today. Most issuers in the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will report on the fourth quarter only in the second half of January when the main earnings reporting season begins.
- US Market: The first reports from American corporations will traditionally appear in mid-January, starting with leading banks and technology giants. Investors are anticipating initial signals regarding the financial outcomes of 2025 and forecasts for 2026.
- Europe and Asia: Similarly, large European and Asian companies will present their quarterly results closer to the end of January or in February. This week, attention in these regions is more focused on the macroeconomic environment and forecasts rather than corporate reports.
- Dividends and Announcements: The start of the year sometimes brings announcements of dividends or strategic plans from specific companies. However, during the festive period, there are few such corporate news items. Investors should monitor press releases from companies in the coming days—key dividend dates and plans for the year may be announced shortly after the holidays.
Day's Summary: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Low Liquidity and Volatility: Holiday weekends are accompanied by reduced trading volumes; with limited activity, even singular news can provoke disproportionately sharp market fluctuations. It is essential for investors to act cautiously: manage risks and avoid making significant trades until normal liquidity is restored.
- OPEC+ and Oil Prices: On Sunday, January 4, the OPEC+ alliance meeting will take place, where it will become clear whether oil production quotas will remain unchanged. Any unexpected decision could cause noticeable movement in oil prices at the start of the year. Accordingly, the energy sector and currencies of commodity-producing countries (including the Russian ruble) will react to the results of this meeting on Monday.
- Start of Earnings Season: Although there are no major corporate releases today, the earnings season will begin in just a couple of weeks, when major banks, IT companies, and industrial corporations will start publishing their fourth-quarter results. Expectations and preliminary assessments of these reports will gradually be factored into stock prices—investors should consider potential surprises in corporate earnings in advance.
- Macroeconomic Background and Policy: The absence of significant statistics on weekends means that the first trading days of the new year will be particularly dependent on the news backdrop. Early in the week, markets will receive a set of data (e.g., service sector business activity indices in various countries) and may see the publication of minutes from recent central bank meetings. Furthermore, any statements from politicians or sudden geopolitical events could influence investor sentiment. In these conditions, conservative strategies remain relevant—asset diversification and a measured approach to risk will help protect the portfolio in the event of unexpected volatility.
This review provides key indicators for investors on January 3, 2026. In the context of minimal market activity, it is crucial to remain vigilant: closely monitor news over the weekend, the dynamics of major indices upon the opening of exchanges, and upcoming economic publications to make informed investment decisions.
