Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Sunday, 1 March 2026: China and Russia PMI, Global Market Expectations, Preparation for the Opening of S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225 and MOEX
Sunday, 1 March, is a rare occasion for the market: most exchanges (US, Europe, Russia) are closed, liquidity is low, and reactions to news often manifest on the following Monday. Nevertheless, the beginning of the month typically brings the release of Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMI) and a host of regulatory deadlines, which shape expectations for the global economy, commodities, and currencies. For investors from the CIS, the key task of the day is to gather a "risk map" ahead of the week's opening: assess signals from China and Russia, examine the energy market agenda, and prepare for a plethora of data and corporate reports on Monday.
The Global Agenda at the Start of the Month: Why 1 March Influences Risk Appetite
- PMI as an Early Indicator of the Cycle. PMI indexes in manufacturing and services often set the tone for expectations regarding inflation, interest rates, and corporate earnings, especially over the near term of 1 to 3 months.
- Portfolio Rotation at Month's End. At the turn of the month, rebalancing among funds and systemic strategies intensifies: even with a "quiet" calendar, this increases the likelihood of gaps at the opening.
- Energy and Regulatory Agenda. Deadlines concerning gas/sanctions/diversification of supplies in Europe often reflect in risk premiums in oil, gas, and sector stocks.
Economic Events of the Day: Asia - the First Signal of the Month
The Asian bloc remains the main source of macro impulses on Sunday thanks to early releases and the high sensitivity of markets to the state of Chinese demand.
China: Official PMI (NBS) for February
- NBS Manufacturing PMI (February). A key barometer of industrial demand, supply chains, and export dynamics.
- NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI (February). An indicator of services and construction — essential for assessing domestic demand and investment activity.
- Combined Conclusions for the Markets. Strong PMIs typically support industrial metals, some emerging market currencies, and Asian indexes; weak ones tend to increase demand for safe assets and may pressure cyclical sectors in S&P 500 and Euro Stoxx 50.
Australia: Final Manufacturing PMI S&P Global
- S&P Global Australia Manufacturing PMI Final (February). Released at the end of the day UTC, this can set the tone for the "Asian opening" of the new week, impacting the AUD, commodity assets, and overall risk appetite in the region.
Europe and Russia: PMI and Energy Highlights
For European and Russian investors, signals regarding business activity and any news that may alter expectations for commodities, logistics, and sanction risks are crucial.
Russia: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI
- S&P Global Russia Manufacturing PMI. An indicator of the state of industry, orders, and price pressure. Combined with the dynamics of the rouble and interest rates, it aids in assessing the margins of exporters and domestic demand.
European Energy Agenda: Deadlines and Expectations
- Deadline for Preparing National Diversification Plans for Gas Supplies. Such regulatory events typically heighten focus on the structure of gas imports, spot prices, and contracts, as well as the risks for energy-intensive industries in Europe.
- How This Translates to the Markets. Increased uncertainty supports volatility in gas and electricity, and through inflation expectations, impacts yield curves and sector dynamics in Euro Stoxx 50.
USA: Markets Closed, but Expectations Forming in Advance
American markets are closed on Sunday; however, it is at the end of the week and the start of the month that expectations for key Monday publications often solidify. For CIS investors, a pragmatic approach is to assess the scenarios regarding interest rates and inflation that the upcoming block of indicators might highlight and preemptively determine risk levels for positions in S&P 500 and the technology sector.
Corporate Reports: Sunday as a "Quiet" Day, but Not Empty
Sundays are rarely packed with corporate publications: companies prefer weekdays to ensure analyst and investor coverage. Nonetheless, certain issuers may release results before markets open or issue operational updates.
USA: Targeted Reports and Operational Updates
- RadNet (RDNT). Report/update on results — potentially significant for investors monitoring medical services and diagnostics, where sensitivity to rates and capital costs remains high.
Middle East: Reporting from Major Regional Issuers
- Some public companies from Saudi Arabia may release results on this day (according to the local schedule). For global portfolios, this matters through the channel of oil, petrochemicals, and the financial sector of the region.
Russia: Corporate Calendar and Updates
- Potential trading/operational updates from certain issuers (including infrastructure companies) may come out at the beginning of the month. For IMOEX investors, it is essential to track announcements regarding dividends, capital expenditures, and debt load — these factors usually weigh more heavily than the mere fact of "calendar" publication.
What Investors Should Watch Ahead of the Key Events of the Coming Workday (Monday, 2 March)
The primary market reaction to Sunday’s data and news typically manifests on Monday. Therefore, it is prudent to prepare a list of "opening triggers" by region.
Macro (Expectations for 2 March): US and Global PMIs
- Final/Official PMI indexes for key economies have the potential to rapidly alter expectations regarding rates and lead to yield movements.
- ISM in the US (if publication coincides with the upcoming opening) traditionally influences the dollar, UST curve, and sector dynamics in S&P 500 (industrial companies, cyclicals, financials).
Corporate Reports (Expectations for 2 March): US, Europe, Asia
Mondays are generally significantly richer in terms of reporting. Among the companies that investors often follow due to their capitalisation and influence on indexes/sectors:
- USA (selectively): Okta (OKTA), MongoDB (MDB), Heico (HEI), AES (AES), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), ADT (ADT), Sealed Air (SEE), California Resources (CRC) and several tech/energy issuers.
- Europe (selectively): companies in infrastructure and energy, including issuers like Cellnex (CLNX) and Galp (GALP) depending on the precise timing of publications.
- Asian Markets: potential reports from large local issuers and banks — particularly significant for investors assessing the Nikkei 225 and regional supply chains.
Investor Practice: Preemptively note "high-risk windows" (before opening/after closing), set hedging levels for indexes (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50) and check portfolio correlations with oil/gas.
Conclusion: Key Considerations for CIS Investors Ahead of Week Opening
The main takeaway from Sunday, 1 March 2026, is preparation for Monday. The focus should be on: (1) official PMI from China as a signal for global demand and commodity cycles; (2) Russian PMI as an early indicator of domestic business activity and price pressure; (3) the energy and regulatory agenda in Europe, which could influence risk premiums in commodity assets; (4) a list of key corporate reports for the upcoming workday that might set the tone for S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and IMOEX.
Before the week opens, investors should update their scenarios regarding rates and inflation, establish risk levels for their positions, check exposure to commodities and currencies, and preemptively identify which reports and macro publications are critical for your portfolio structure.
