Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Friday, 30 January 2026: Germany and Eurozone GDP, US Producer Inflation, Shutdown Risks, and Earnings Reports from Major Public Companies Worldwide.
Shutdown Threat in the US
The United States faces a partial shutdown of the federal government. The current temporary budget, passed by Congress earlier, expires on 30 January, and if lawmakers fail to agree on new funding, a suspension of government operations will come into effect at midnight. Political disagreements over expenditures, particularly regarding funding for specific departments, maintain uncertainty. Investors are closely monitoring negotiations in Washington, as a shutdown could negatively impact US economic growth and lead to increased volatility in the financial markets.
Germany's GDP (Q4 2025)
Today, the preliminary estimate of Germany's GDP for the fourth quarter of 2025 will be published. Analysts expect weak growth for Europe's largest economy, around +0.2% q/q following flat performance in the third quarter. This will indicate whether Germany has managed to avoid a recession amid energy issues and an industrial downturn. On an annual basis, Germany's GDP growth for 2025 is estimated at merely a fraction of a percent. The results of the German GDP will set the tone for the entire Eurozone: unexpectedly strong data may uplift European markets, while weak figures could heighten concerns about the sustainability of the economic recovery.
Eurozone GDP: Preliminary Data for Q4 2025
Following this, aggregated GDP data for the Eurozone for the fourth quarter will be released. Economic growth within the currency bloc is expected to slow to approximately 0.0–0.1% q/q, close to stagnation, after a slight increase of 0.2% in the previous quarter. Annual GDP growth for the Eurozone may be around 1.2% (down from 1.4% in Q3). These figures will reveal how well the region's economy is coping with rising interest rates and external risks. For the European Central Bank, weak statistics may provide further justification for a cautious policy stance, while stronger data could intensify discussions about the need for further measures to tackle inflation.
Canada's GDP for November 2025
In the latter part of the day, the estimate of Canada's GDP for November 2025 (monthly indicator) will be revealed. Preliminary data indicated modest growth of around +0.1% m/m, but official statistics will clarify the real dynamics. The Canadian economy has shown mixed signals in the second half of 2025: following a downturn in Q2, a recovery occurred in Q3. November figures will help assess the growth trajectory for Q4. Should it turn out that economic activity slowed or turned negative at the year's end, this could influence the Bank of Canada's interest rate plans, diminishing expectations of potential tightening.
US Producer Price Index (PPI) for December
The US Department of Labor will publish the December Producer Price Index (PPI). This indicator reflects wholesale price trends and serves as a leading signal for inflationary trends. In November, the PPI rose by 3% year-on-year, and the market predicts a similar figure for December. Price growth for producers is expected to remain modest, in the range of 2.9–3.1% y/y. A slight acceleration compared to the previous month may indicate persistent inflationary pressures in the production segment, although the overall level remains significantly below last year's peaks. Investors and economists will consider this data when evaluating the Federal Reserve's future actions: a stable PPI will support the view that inflation is under control, while an unexpectedly high jump could intensify discussions about the risk of renewed consumer price increases.
Chicago PMI (January)
Later in the evening, the January Chicago Purchasing Managers' Index (Chicago PMI) will be released. This regional leading indicator will provide insights into the state of the US manufacturing sector at the start of the year. In December, business activity in the Chicago area significantly recovered, with the index rising to around 43–44 points after a drop to 36.3 in November (values below 50 indicate contraction). The consensus forecast for January anticipates a further modest improvement in the index, although it is likely to remain in contraction territory (<50). A continued recovery in the Chicago PMI may signal gradual revitalisation of manufacturing output following a weak autumn. However, maintaining index values significantly below 50 indicates that the US manufacturing sector is still facing challenges, and sustainable growth has not yet been achieved.
US Companies’ Earnings Reports
In addition to macroeconomic statistics, investors will receive a batch of corporate news. Today, several major companies from the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices will report their financial results for Q4 2025:
- ExxonMobil – a global leader in the oil and gas sector. The results from ExxonMobil will illustrate how fluctuations in oil and gas prices impacted the company's profits at the end of 2025.
- Chevron – another major US oil and gas corporation. Investors will compare the reports of Chevron and ExxonMobil to assess the state of the energy sector and the prospects for dividend payouts amid stable oil prices.
- American Express – a leading financial company in the payment systems sector. Its quarterly report will serve as an indicator of consumer spending and demand for credit services in the US during the holiday season of Q4.
- Colgate-Palmolive – a multinational company manufacturing consumer goods. Investors will analyse Colgate-Palmolive's sales dynamics and profitability to understand the impact of cost inflation on the consumer sector.
- Verizon Communications – one of the largest American telecommunications operators. Verizon's report will provide insights into the state of the communication market, subscriber base growth, and the monetisation of 5G services.
Besides the aforementioned, quarterly results will also be published today by pharmacy company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, insurance broker Aon, consumer goods manufacturer Church & Dwight, and other enterprises. The aggregate results of these reports will help evaluate the financial well-being of various sectors of the US economy – from energy and finance to healthcare and high technology.
Reports from European and Asian Companies
In Europe and Asia, a series of corporate reports will also be released on 30 January, attracting the attention of global investors. Among the most notable international companies reporting today are:
- CaixaBank (Spain) – one of the largest banks in Spain. Its Q4 results will reveal trends in the Eurozone banking sector, including demand for loans and asset quality amid changing interest rates.
- Raiffeisen Bank International (Austria) – a major Austrian banking holding with a presence in Eastern Europe. Investors from the CIS region traditionally monitor its performance, taking into account the bank's operations in emerging European markets.
- Electrolux AB (Sweden) – a well-known manufacturer of household appliances. Electrolux's report will provide information on consumer demand in Europe and North America, as well as how the company is coping with rising costs and supply chain challenges.
- Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (Japan) – one of the largest banking conglomerates in Japan. Its financial results reflect the state of the Japanese financial sector and may indirectly indicate trends in the Asian economy.
- State Bank of India (India) – the largest state bank in India. SBI's quarterly results are of interest in the context of India's rapid economic growth; they will demonstrate credit dynamics and asset quality in one of the key emerging markets.
Reports from several Scandinavian companies (such as the industrial conglomerate SKF and packaging manufacturer Billerud in Sweden) and other Asian firms (including high-tech companies from Japan) are also being published. Although these issuers may be less familiar to a broad audience of investors from the CIS, their results complement the overall picture of financial health in the corporate sector across different regions of the world.
Investor Considerations
The last trading day of the week combines several diverse events – from politics to macroeconomics and corporate news. In these circumstances, it is essential for investors to focus on the most significant factors:
- Budget Crisis in the US: Keep abreast of news from Washington regarding budget negotiations. Any signs of progress (or lack thereof) could immediately impact the markets and the dollar's value.
- European GDP Statistics: Analyse Germany and Eurozone GDP data. Unexpectedly strong growth will support European stocks and the euro, while weak results will heighten recession fears in the region.
- US Inflation Indicators: Pay attention to the PPI report. Moderate producer price inflation will calm markets, while a surge in PPI could increase volatility due to reassessments of Fed rate expectations.
- Quarterly Reports from Market Leaders: Evaluating results from giants like ExxonMobil, Chevron, American Express, and others will provide benchmarks for company earnings across different sectors. This will help adjust strategies regarding specific stocks and sectors.
Overall, Friday, 30 January promises to be active in the markets. The reaction of the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Moscow Exchange Index will depend on whether key statistics and corporate earnings expectations are met. Investors from CIS countries should consider the global news backdrop when making decisions, as the international events of this day have the potential to set the tone for market dynamics in the near future. As the week concludes, market participants will strive to assess the entire spectrum of information received to enter the following week with the most comprehensive understanding of the economic situation.
