Key Economic Events on 2 January 2026: PMI Data from Australia, India, Russia, Germany, Eurozone, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada and USA. Where Exchanges Are Closed Due to New Year, Where Trading Is Ongoing, and What Investors Should Watch at the Start of the Trading Year.
Friday, 2 January 2026, is expected to be relatively calm in global financial markets due to the ongoing New Year holidays. Most major exchanges remain closed, while investors will focus on the publication of global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data for the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for release on Friday are the PMI figures for Australia, India, Russia, Germany, the Eurozone, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, and the USA. These statistical releases will provide the first indicators regarding the state of the global economy in the new year. In the corporate sector, there are few notable reports expected – major financial results from large companies will follow later in January and February. Nevertheless, it is advisable to keep an eye on dividend announcements and individual corporate events. Markets will resume activity early next week following the holidays, which will influence index dynamics. Overall, investors should be prepared for reduced liquidity and heightened volatility – even small news items can trigger significant market movements.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- 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
- Exchanges closed: China, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan (New Year).
- Exchanges operating: The USA and Canada return to their usual schedules on 2 January (after the holiday on 1 January).
- Russian markets: The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is closed on 2 January for the holiday, while the St. Petersburg Exchange is trading 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, with investors tracking PMI data and anticipating quarterly reports from companies towards the end of the month.
- Europe (Euro Stoxx 50): Major European exchanges are closed on Friday, and indicators will be oriented towards the PMI data for Germany and the Eurozone, as well as oil prices and the euro/dollar exchange rate.
- 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 transitions into the new year without major data releases.
- Russia (MOEX, RTS): No trading on MOEX for now; the pressure on the rouble will continue to be influenced by 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 in the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, and Nikkei 225 will publish their results later in January. Smaller tech players are continuing their publication schedule: for example, Taylor Devices (NASDAQ:TAYD) is expected to report its Q3 fiscal 2026 results (end of December 2025).
- Some companies are announcing dividends as the year begins. For instance, NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) declared a dividend of $0.52 with a record date of 2 January 2026 (payment on 21 January). American Express (NYSE:AXP) has already released a dividend declaration with a record date of 2 January 2026. These events will attract the attention of dividend investors.
- Overall, the earnings season has yet to commence. Investors are focused on external indicators and statements from central bank leaders (although no meetings of the Federal Reserve or ECB are scheduled for this week).
Day's Takeaways: What Investors Should Watch
- Low Liquidity and Volatility. The New Year holidays reduce trading volumes. With limited activity, even small news items can trigger sharp market movements. It is crucial for investors to manage risks and approach trades thoughtfully ahead of the full resumption of trading.
- Publication of PMI. The PMI indices (for Australia, India, Europe, the USA, etc.) will serve as the first significant 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 currency rates.
- Corporate Sector. Although there are few major reports today, a series of publications from major companies (tech giants, banks, energy companies) are anticipated by the end of January. Early signals will come from dividend cuts (see NetApp, AmEx) and reports from specific sectors.
- Oil and the Rouble. Oil prices remain a key driver for the rouble market. Investors must monitor the energy market: even minor fluctuations in oil prices can significantly impact the Russian currency and the MOEX index.
- Global Background. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it will also be important to pay attention to political news and trade statements (for example, regarding tariffs or geopolitics), which may set the tone for the markets in the first week of the year. In the current environment, conservative strategies and diversification remain priorities.
This brief overview provides key indicators for investors for 2 January 2026. Stay focused on the release of statistics, the dynamics of major indices, and corporate news in order to make informed investment decisions.
