Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Thursday, February 12, 2026. UK GDP, US Unemployment and Housing Market Data, IEA Oil Report, EIA Gas Inventory, and Reports from Major Public Companies. Analysis for Investors.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, promises to be an eventful day for global markets. Investors from the CIS countries should pay attention to both the key economic events of the day and the fresh data to be presented in the financial reports from companies around the world. Geopolitical meetings, macroeconomic releases, and corporate reports from the largest firms can significantly influence market sentiment and stock price movements. On such a day, it is important to remain calm: analyze incoming analytics and forecasts without succumbing to short-term fluctuations. Below, we will review the main events and reports of the day and provide recommendations for investors.
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NATO Defense Ministers Meeting in Brussels. On this day, NATO defense ministers will gather at the alliance's headquarters. They will discuss strengthening the Alliance's defense capabilities, increasing investments in defense and the defense industry, and continuing support for Ukraine amid the current geopolitical situation. The outcomes of past summit decisions will be evaluated, and preparations for the next NATO summit in July will be outlined. Decisions made at this meeting may influence investor sentiment in the defense sector and overall assessment of geopolitical risks in the markets.
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EU Emergency Summit to Strengthen the Internal Market. EU leaders will hold an informal meeting focused on strategies to strengthen the EU's single market. Key issues include measures to eliminate national barriers, improve conditions for investment and innovation, and consolidate companies in key sectors (digital technology, energy, finance) to enhance Europe's competitiveness. Given the current geopolitical situation, strengthening the internal market is recognized as a priority. The results of this summit will set the direction of EU economic policy and may impact European stocks, particularly those of companies reliant on regulation and trade conditions.
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UK GDP for Q4 2025. Early in the morning, preliminary estimates of UK's economic growth for October–December 2025 will be released (expected around 10:00 Moscow time). Economists forecast a moderate change in GDP – the data will reveal if the UK economy has managed to avoid recession amid high interest rates and inflation. Concurrently, industrial production figures for December will be published. If the statistics are weaker than expected, fears of an economic slowdown will intensify, potentially impacting the value of the pound and the sentiments of global investors.
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Monthly IEA Oil Report. At 12:00 Moscow time, the International Energy Agency will publish its latest overview of the global oil market. Investors will look for updated forecasts on demand and supply, production estimates from OPEC+ countries, and trends in global inventory. Any signals of supply shortages or oil surpluses could immediately reflect on commodity prices. For CIS countries, major oil exporters, the tone of this report is particularly important, as oil remains a key source of export revenues and impacts inflation expectations.
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US Unemployment Data (Initial Jobless Claims). Traditionally, weekly statistics on initial jobless claims will be released in the US on Thursday (16:30 Moscow time). This operational indicator reflects trends in the labor market: whether the number of new unemployed is rising or falling. The forecast is approximately 220,000 claims, which is close to pre-crisis normal levels. A decrease in claims will strengthen confidence in the labor market's resilience but may prompt the Federal Reserve to maintain a hawkish stance to curb inflation. Conversely, an unexpected rise in unemployment will weaken the regulator's "hawkish" sentiment, though it may raise concerns about consumer demand in the economy.
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Existing Home Sales in the US. Concurrently, the indicator for Existing Home Sales for January will be published – the volume of home sales in the US market. This indicator is important for assessing the health of the American housing sector and is sensitive to mortgage rate fluctuations. Some revival in transactions is expected compared to the autumn months, although high mortgage rates continued to restrain buyers. The state of the housing market is crucial for banks (mortgage lending) and construction companies. An increase in sales signals consumer confidence, while a downturn indicates household caution and the pressure of high prices (including utilities) on their budgets.
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US Natural Gas Inventories (EIA Report). At 18:30 Moscow time, the US Energy Information Administration will release weekly data on natural gas inventories. Although this is a routine report, traders closely monitor it during winter as a barometer of the balance between supply and demand for gas. A significant reduction in inventories for the week could push gas prices up, which is positive for shares of energy companies. For CIS investors, who are watching the gas market in Europe and Russia, this data is indirectly interesting: the dynamics of American inventories influence global gas prices through price arbitrage, which in turn affects export revenues in the energy sector.
Corporate Reports from Major Companies. USA: Quarterly Reports from Market Leaders
Before the US Market Opens
Before the main trading session in the US begins, a series of reports from diverse companies will be released. Among them are Nebius Group (a young technology firm expected to report a loss of about $0.50 per share, although revenue is growing thanks to its focus on cloud services and AI), the casino operator Melco Resorts (expected to profit around $0.10 per share due to the recovery of Macau's gaming business), and investment conglomerate Brookfield. Additionally, reports will be released by aerospace parts manufacturer Howmet Aerospace, iconic footwear brand Crocs, and newly listed sandal producer Birkenstock. Furthermore, financial results will be presented by animal pharmaceutical company Zoetis, corporate technology developer Zebra Technologies, and energy giants PG&E and American Electric Power. These diverse reports will reflect the status of several sectors, from consumer demand (footwear sales, entertainment) to industry and energy. Investors will evaluate whether company profit forecasts are met and what signals regarding risks or new opportunities are communicated by their executives in comments.
After the US Market Closes
In the evening, after trading closes in the US, the peak of the earnings season will occur. Several large technology and internet companies will publish quarterly results. Among them is Coinbase Global, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, expected to see a sharp drop in profit to around $1 per share (down from approximately $4.70 a year earlier) due to a decline in trading volumes in the crypto market. Additionally, social platform Pinterest is set to report: analysts predict a revenue growth of about 15% year-on-year, with particular focus on user base dynamics and advertising revenues. Software developers such as JFrog (B2B platform for DevOps) and Toast (fintech solutions for the restaurant industry) will also capture attention. Their results will provide insights into the state of digital advertising markets, cloud services, and technologies for small businesses.
Besides them, investors await reports from real economic sector companies. Arista Networks, a network equipment manufacturer, is expected to show solid growth due to demand from data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Electric vehicle maker Rivian will reveal whether it has managed to increase production of electric pickups and reduce losses; the market will focus on whether the company confirms plans to ramp up production in 2026. In the entertainment and consumer services sector, sportsbook platform DraftKings will report (key metric – increase in customer numbers and progress towards profitability), and coffee chain Dutch Bros (helping assess how inflation reflects on consumer spending for small everyday pleasures). Special attention will be on giants from various industries, such as Applied Materials (a leading manufacturer of chip-making equipment, a kind of barometer for the global semiconductor industry), as well as travel services Airbnb and Expedia Group. Their financial results will provide insights into how resilient demand for travel and accommodation bookings remained at the end of 2025. Such a wide range of corporate reports—from high technology and crypto/fintech to industrial companies and retail—could provoke significant fluctuations in both individual stocks and entire sector indices. It is crucial for investors to pay attention not only to actual profit figures but also to management statements about prospects: the tone of forecasts for 2026 (cautious or optimistic) often elicits the strongest market reactions.
Europe: Corporate Reports from Euro Stoxx 50
In Europe, February 12 is also a busy day for the earnings season, especially among companies in the top Euro Stoxx 50 index. Financial results will be released by consumer sector leaders—Hermès and L’Oréal. Their reports will demonstrate whether high demand for luxury goods and cosmetics is maintained (especially due to buyers from Asia). Siemens and Mercedes-Benz will present data on industry and automotive sectors, serving as indicators of the state of European manufacturing amidst high energy prices.
Additionally, reports from multinational giants Unilever (consumer goods) and AB InBev (the world's largest brewing corporation) are anticipated. Their metrics and comments will showcase how inflation has affected company costs and consumer behavior. Focus will also be on Adyen (a fintech payment provider reflecting e-commerce trends) and Deutsche Börse (an exchange operator sensitive to activity in financial markets). Overall, analysts predict a moderate decline in the total profits of European companies for the fourth quarter, so investors will closely scrutinize any signs of improvement or deterioration in business trends contained in these reports.
Asia: Reports from Nikkei 225 Companies
In Asian markets, the main event will be the financial results publication from several large Japanese corporations. Primarily, investors are waiting for the report from SoftBank Group—an investment tech conglomerate that will present data for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2025. SoftBank's results will reflect the performance of its startup portfolio and Vision Fund amid global market volatility. It is estimated that the company may record about 8–10% growth in operating profit year-on-year; the market is also anticipating updates on forecasts from SoftBank's management. Moreover, quarterly reports will be published by some manufacturing giants from the Nikkei 225 index, such as automaker Toyota and electronics giant Sony. Their results will reflect the state of demand in Asia and the impact of currency fluctuations (the yen's exchange rate) on profitability. Overall, strong reports from Japan could bolster optimism in Asian exchanges, while disappointments would heighten caution among investors in the region.
Russia: Operational Metrics of Companies
On the Russian market, February 12 also expects several corporate news, although predominantly in the form of operational metrics rather than full financial reports. For example, the airline Aeroflot will publish transportation statistics for January 2026, providing insights into the dynamics of demand for air travel and flight occupancy following the New Year holidays. Production reports from some oil and gas and metallurgical companies for the first month of the year are also anticipated; investors will evaluate production volumes, exports, and the impact of raw material prices on the revenues of these companies. Direct financial reports (IFRS) for the fourth quarter from major Russian issuers are scarce on this day (most will be released later), but operational data will help gauge how the key sectors of the economy started in 2026. Any significant deviations (for example, a sharp increase in production or a decline in domestic sales) could be reflected in stock prices of these companies on the Moscow Exchange.
Conclusively, February 12 will feature a truly eventful day, combining significant economic events with a wave of corporate releases. This combination of factors creates both opportunities and risks for market participants. Positive surprises (for example, stronger than expected macro statistics or outstanding company profits) could bolster confidence in the economy and drive stock prices upward. However, disappointments (weak data or worse-than-expected corporate reports) could increase volatility and lead to sell-offs in the stock market.
For investors from the CIS, it is crucial to maintain a diversified portfolio and not succumb to panic over individual news. A prudent strategy entails considering long-term trends—inflation dynamics, unemployment levels, global oil and gas demand—when assessing short-term market fluctuations. By the end of the day, it is essential to analyze whether analysts' forecasts and companies' projections were met, allowing for potential adjustments in investments. By adhering to a chosen strategy and sensibly assessing risks, investors can benefit from the information received and confidently move forward.
