Economic Events and Corporate Reports: Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Berkshire Hathaway Report, OPEC+ Meeting, and South Korean Trade Statistics
Saturday, August 1, 2026, marks the beginning of a new month in the global financial markets. While the exchanges in the US, Europe, Asia, and the Moscow Exchange are closed, this day is anything but 'empty' for investors. Key economic events and corporate reports over the weekend are poised to set the trading direction right from Monday's opening: the market anticipates Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly report, a virtual OPEC+ meeting regarding September oil production, and the July trade statistics from South Korea—a traditional barometer of global trade. In Russia, a package of regulatory changes will come into effect on August 1, including the recalculation of pensions for working retirees. We delve into the main events of the day and weekend that are significant for the stock market and private investors.
Why This Saturday is Important for Investors
August 1 falls at the intersection of two busy weeks. In the rearview mirror is the US Federal Reserve's meeting (the rate remains in the range of approximately 3.75%), the block of reports from American tech giants, and the IFRS report from Norilsk Nickel for the first half of the year. Looking ahead are the ISM and PMI business activity indexes from China, reports from Russian issuers, and the US labor market July report. The weekend of August 1-2 concentrates several catalysts:
- the release of Berkshire Hathaway’s quarterly results, which traditionally comes in the early days of August;
- an online meeting of the seven key OPEC+ countries to discuss quotas for September;
- export and import data from South Korea for July—an early indicator of global demand;
- the implementation of new regulations in Russia affecting pensions, taxation, and utility services.
Berkshire Hathaway: The Main Corporate Report of the Weekend
The central corporate event is Berkshire Hathaway’s report for the second quarter of 2026. Warren Buffett's and Greg Abel's holding company traditionally publishes quarterly results on the first Saturday of August, and this year, the market expects the release to occur between August 1-3. This is the only 'heavyweight' in the S&P 500 index whose reporting typically occurs on a non-trading day, allowing investors time to calmly analyse the figures before the market opens.
What Analysts Expect from the Report
- Revenue of approximately $95.3 billion—around a 3% year-on-year growth.
- Class B earnings per share of $5.24, compared to $5.17 a year earlier.
- Insurance business dynamics: GEICO's margin remains under pressure due to rising payouts and customer acquisition costs, with insurance float exceeding $176 billion.
- Size of the cash cushion and share buyback activity—a key signal of management's views on market valuations.
- The initial results under Greg Abel's leadership following Buffett's departure as CEO, and the integration of the $8.5 billion Taylor Morrison Home acquisition.
Berkshire's shares have underperformed the broader market this year amid a decline in the 'Buffett premium' and a low proportion of the technology sector in the portfolio, so the reaction to the report on Monday may be particularly volatile.
OPEC+ Meeting on August 2: Oil Production Decisions for September
On Sunday, August 2, the seven key OPEC+ producers—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman—will hold a virtual meeting to determine quotas for September. The market's baseline scenario anticipates another increase in production of around 188,000 barrels per day, which would conclude a phased reversal of the voluntary cuts of 1.65 million barrels that have been in effect since 2023.
Two critical points are crucial for the oil market:
- Possible pause after September. A freeze on quotas is being discussed from October 2026 to January 2027, which would maintain around 2 million barrels per day in restrictions and support Brent prices.
- Geopolitical context. The gradual recovery of exports through the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict involving Iran, as well as the UAE's exit from OPEC, means that the actual impact of increased quotas remains limited: real production from several countries is still below permitted levels.
The outcomes of the meeting will directly impact shares in the oil and gas sector—ranging from ExxonMobil and Shell to Rosneft and Lukoil—as well as the rouble exchange rate and commodity currencies.
South Korean Trade Statistics: A Barometer of the Global Economy
On the morning of August 1, the South Korean customs authority will traditionally release data on exports and imports for July, regardless of the weekend. South Korean statistics are considered a leading indicator of global trade and demand for semiconductors: the dynamics of chip supply from Samsung and SK Hynix reflect the state of the global technology cycle and indirectly influence sentiment in shares of Nvidia, TSMC, and the Nikkei 225 index as a whole. In light of the US tariff policy, investors will be looking for signs of a slowdown in Asian exports within the figures.
Russia and the CIS: What Changes on August 1, 2026
For the Russian market, Saturday marks the day when around 90 federal regulations come into effect. The most significant changes for household economies include:
- automatic recalculation of insurance pensions for working retirees: the maximum increase is three pension points, approximately 470 roubles per month;
- indexation of cumulative pensions by 17.3%, and for participants in the co-financing programme—19.3%;
- doubling of the fixed payment to pensions for citizens who turned 80 years old in July;
- transition of property tax and personal income tax notifications to electronic format via 'Gosuslugi';
- new requirements for detailing utility bills.
Additional support for disposable incomes is a moderately positive factor for the consumer sector of the Moscow Exchange, including retail and banking.
US Tariff Policy: The Context for August
The trade agenda remains a key source of risk for global markets. In August, investors will be watching for the implementation of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods effective from August 19 and the ongoing 25% tariff on imports from Brazil. The escalation of trade restrictions heightens uncertainty for Euro Stoxx 50 exporters and Asian manufacturers, while also sustaining inflation expectations in the US, thereby limiting the Fed's capacity to reduce rates.
Weekly Summary: Context Ahead of Monday's Opening
The previous week concluded with the release of Norilsk Nickel’s half-year report according to IFRS and operating results from MD Medical, along with a block of corporate reports in the US. The S&P 500 index remains near historical highs with the Fed's rate around 3.75% and inflation at about 3.5%—a combination that makes the market particularly sensitive to macroeconomic statistics at the start of August.
Upcoming Week's Calendar: Key Events
- August 3 - ISM Manufacturing Index for the US, PMI for China's manufacturing sector (RatingDog, formerly Caixin), TGK-1’s IFRS report for the first half of the year.
- August 5 - ROSTELECOM's IFRS report for the first half of 2026.
- August 6 - UNIPRO’s IFRS results.
- August 7 - US July labor market report (Non-Farm Payrolls), a key release for expectations regarding Fed's rates.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
Saturday, August 1, 2026, is a day of preparation rather than trading. Investors should focus on three areas. First, Berkshire Hathaway's report: the holding company's cash position and comments from Greg Abel will be indicators of the sentiment from 'smart money' towards current market valuations. Second, OPEC+’s decision on August 2: a signal of a pause in output increases after September could support oil prices and shares in the commodity sector, while a strict continuation of quota increases could amplify pressure on Brent. Third, the macroeconomic statistics for the beginning of the month—from South Korea's exports to the US ISM and employment report—will determine expectations regarding the Fed's rates. A balanced position ahead of Monday's opening, monitoring the share of commodity assets, and paying attention to tariff news from Washington remain the fundamental strategy as we enter August.
