SST January Market Outlook & Major News to Watch
Happy New Year, Snipers! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s, and are feeling refreshed and ready to kick off 2026 with a bang. The market is about to pick up momentum, and as always, staying ahead of major events is key to navigating this first month of the year.
With the holiday season behind us, we’re heading into a month packed with economic data and key events that could influence market direction. Now’s the time to sharpen those trading strategies, review your watchlists, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
🗓 Key Economic Events This Month
📌 ISM Manufacturing PMI — Jan 5
An early look at U.S. manufacturing health. A strong or weak print can influence equity sentiment and USD strength.
📌 Fed’s First Monetary Policy Meeting — Jan 22–23
This is the macro highlight of the month. The Federal Reserve’s communication on interest rates, monetary policy, or future guidance can move bonds, USD, gold, equities, and risk assets globally. Be ready for volatility around this date.
📌 Consumer Price Index (CPI) & Core Inflation — Mid‑January
Inflation figures are crucial for Fed expectations and rate markets. Higher‑than‑expected inflation keeps rate traders on edge; lower figures can reinforce a softer rate path.
📌 US Jobs & Labor Data (Early Week)
Weekly data like ADP and Jobless Claims (early in the month) give clues on employment momentum — a key input for market positioning.
What This Means for Traders
Volatility windows:
- - Early January data releases
- - Mid‑month CPI & jobs prints
- - Fed policy meeting — high impact risk and trend shifts possible
Expect choppier price action around these, especially as markets bounce back from light holiday liquidity in the first week.
How We Can Prepare
✅ Highlight your watchlists ahead of each event — know key support/resistance.
✅ Reduce size and tighten stops before major data.
✅ Use confirmations on breakouts; avoid impulse entries in news spikes.
✅ Be mindful that January is typically a month of positioning and repricing, not just continuation.
Quick Reminder: Major exchanges were closed on Jan 1 for New Year’s, so volume and volatility might still be uneven early in the month, then ramp up as the calendar fills.
Conclusion: Let’s Start 2026 Strong!
As we move into the new year, January brings a fresh start — but also significant opportunities and challenges in the markets. With major economic data releases, potential policy shifts, and the beginning of earnings season, we’ll need to stay on top of our game to seize the right moments.
Remember, the first few weeks of the year can be especially volatile as traders return from the holidays and reassess positions. As we gear up for the Federal Reserve’s meeting and key inflation data, market sentiment could shift quickly. It’s important to stay patient, remain disciplined, and follow the plan — whether you're swinging, scalping, or positioning yourself for long-term moves.
With that said, let’s approach the markets with the SST mindset: smart risk management, solid preparation, and a focus on high-probability setups. We’ve learned a lot over the past year, and 2026 promises even more opportunities to grow as traders. Let’s make sure we’re ready to capitalize on those moves when they come.
Here’s to another successful year ahead — with sharp focus, smart trading, and consistency. Let’s hit the ground running, Snipers!
