Economic Events and Corporate Reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026: Chinese PMI Index, Budget Crisis in the USA, and a Pause in Corporate Earnings Season. Analytical Review for Investors.
Daily Overview for Investors
The last day of January is relatively calm for global markets, yet it carries important signals. Investors are focused on the morning PMI data from China, which will indicate the state of manufacturing and the services sector as 2026 begins. Concurrently, the USA has managed to avoid the threat of a shutdown: Congress has passed a temporary budget solution, removing immediate political risk. The absence of major corporate reports this Saturday allows market participants to reflect on the month’s results and prepare for a new trading phase.
Key Economic Events (Time - MSK)
- 04:30 - China: Manufacturing, Services, and Composite PMI for January.
USA: Budget Compromise Eliminates Shutdown Threat
The United States has avoided a suspension of federal government operations. At the last moment, Republicans and Democrats in Congress managed to reach an agreement on funding: a spending package has been passed, extending operations for most departments until the end of September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been granted a temporary funding extension for several weeks, reflecting the compromise nature of the agreement.
This news has provided relief to the markets: the risk of an immediate shutdown has been averted, and the economic repercussions have been kept to a minimum for now. Investors responded positively to the prevention of a budget crisis, as a shutdown could have reduced US GDP and heightened volatility in equity markets. Nevertheless, political uncertainty has not completely vanished: the prospect of further negotiations on the budget and long-term spending continues to present a tension factor that could influence business confidence and the dollar's exchange rate.
China: January PMI Reflects Economic Trends
The official business activity indices (PMI) for China in January indicate a continuation of moderate growth at the start of the year. The manufacturing PMI index is projected by analysts to hover around the key level of 50 points, which separates growth from contraction (with December's value being approximately 50.1). An actual reading around 50.2 signals weak expansion in China’s manufacturing sector, suggesting gradual stabilisation following fluctuations at the end of 2025. The non-manufacturing PMI index (services and construction) also remains slightly above 50, reflecting cautious optimism in the services sector.
For global markets, the data from China serves as an early barometer of the health of the world's second-largest economy. Maintaining a PMI above 50 instils moderate optimism: demand in China is not contracting, which supports commodity prices and exporter revenues. However, growth rates remain close to zero, so any decrease in PMI could heighten concerns regarding the pace of economic growth in Asia and globally. Investors in emerging markets and commodity sectors are closely monitoring Chinese indicators, comparing production and services dynamics with expectations for exports, raw material consumption, and profits of multinational corporations.
Global Markets: January Recap
January 2026 has proven to be a mixed month for key stock indices. The American S&P 500 concludes the month with moderate gains: strong reports from several technological giants have bolstered the US market, offsetting concerns surrounding inflation and Federal Reserve rates. The European Euro Stoxx 50 has shown a similar trajectory, managing slight growth against resilient eurozone economic data. In the Asia-Pacific region, sentiments were more restrained: Japan’s Nikkei 225 and the broad MSCI Asia index closed January around neutral levels, reflecting investor caution in the face of mixed macro indicators from China and the actions of the Bank of Japan.
For the Russian market, January has also been relatively calm. The Moscow Exchange index has fluctuated within a narrow range, responding to changes in oil prices and the overall risk appetite in emerging markets. Overall, the outcomes of the first month of 2026 demonstrate that global investors are balancing hopes for a soft landing for the world economy with concerns about inflationary risks. Further dynamics will significantly depend on new data and corporate results in the coming weeks.
Corporate Reports: All Major Public Companies Reporting on January 31, 2026
No financial reports from major companies are scheduled for Saturday, January 31, as this day falls on a weekend for global markets. The calendars for the USA (S&P 500 index) and Europe (Euro Stoxx 50) lack reports from blue-chip companies. The same applies to Asian stock giants and issuers on the Moscow Exchange; investors in these regions have nothing to assess on the corporate front today.
This pause in the corporate earnings season allows for the analysis of already released results and prepares investors for a new wave of releases expected in early February. In the USA, reports from several technology and consumer leaders, including Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.com, are slated for the upcoming week. These releases will capture the market’s attention. In Europe, investors will be monitoring metrics from industrial conglomerates and banks. Thus, today’s break provides an opportunity to assess general trends in the corporate sector—revenue growth, profitability, and management forecasts—before new data begins to impact stock prices in the coming days.
What Investors Should Focus On
- China PMI Data: Compare the actual production and services indices with the threshold level of 50 points and forecasts. A stronger-than-expected PMI may improve sentiment in commodity markets and support shares of commodity companies, while weak figures could intensify concerns regarding demand in Asia.
- US Budget Situation: Monitor developments following the temporary compromise. The absence of a shutdown mitigates short-term risk, but discussions surrounding the budget and national debt will continue. Any new disagreements or threats could once again heighten volatility in the dollar and US government bonds.
- Corporate Earnings Season: Use the weekend pause to evaluate key insights from already published quarterly reports. It is important to pay attention not only to profit metrics but also to companies’ demand, margin, and capital expenditure forecasts for 2026, especially in energy and banking sectors where expectations regarding rates and the credit cycle are critical. This will help adjust sector expectations ahead of the new wave of reports.
- Preparation for the New Week: Given January's results and current news, formulate an action plan for early February. Investors from the CIS countries should consider the international backdrop: data from China and the resolved budget issue in the USA could set the tone for trading on the Moscow Exchange on Monday. Risk management discipline is essential: balance the portfolio taking into account global factors and be prepared for possible index fluctuations.
In conclusion, Saturday, January 31, offers markets a respite for reassessing the situation. Despite a limited number of events, the signals received—from the Chinese PMI to the US budget compromise—lay the groundwork for sentiment at the beginning of February. It is beneficial for investors to utilise this day for analysis and preparation to enter the new trading week with the most complete picture of macroeconomic and corporate trends.
