Next Friday (January 2nd), the global financial markets will experience an intensive wave of data releases. From the UK and Europe to the US, a series of key economic indicators will be unveiled, potentially serving as the main triggers for the market movements in the first week of the new year.

Let's start with the European session. At 3:00 PM UK time, the December Nationwide House Price Index MoM data will be released first—this data is straightforward, reflecting the true temperature of the UK housing market. If the data is not ideal, it will likely trigger another round of discussions about when the UK economy will truly rebound.

Next is the highlight of the European session. Between 16:50 and 17:00, the final manufacturing PMI for France, Germany, and the Eurozone will be released sequentially. These three data points are especially critical—they directly determine the short-term direction of the euro. Particularly for Germany, as the industrial hub of Europe, any fluctuations in the data can immediately stir short-term sentiment in European stocks.

Five minutes later (17:30), the UK manufacturing PMI final will be announced. Combining this with the previous housing data, the overall picture of the UK economy will become clearer.

The moment that truly captures global attention is at 22:45—when the US December S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Final is released. The health of the US manufacturing sector not only influences US stocks but also impacts the Federal Reserve's monetary policy expectations. If the data exceeds expectations and shows strength, market confidence in a soft landing for the economy could significantly increase, often leading to market volatility.

This series of data releases is like a New Year health check for the global economy. The fundamentals of the European and American economies at the start of the year can be glimpsed through these indicators. Traders will certainly look for opportunities to position themselves based on the market's reactions to these data points.