BEL 20 closes higher as UCB lifts index 0.8 percent
Published on 10/23/2026 at 18:49 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSGuidance and market breadth
- BEL 20 closed at 5,782 points on October 23, up 46 points or 0.8 percent.
- UCB raised 2026 revenue growth guidance to the low 20 percent range.
- UCB led the index with a 5.3 percent gain, while Umicore fell 3.8 percent.
- Vastned will publish third-quarter results on October 26 at 6:00 p.m. CET.
The BEL 20 closed 46 points higher, or 0.8 percent, at 5,782 points on October 23, reaching a one-month high, Investing.com reported. Health care, industrial and financial stocks led the advance.
UCB rose 5.3 percent to 272.70 after lifting its 2026 outlook. The stock extended Thursday's gain after stronger demand for Bimzelx and continued momentum from Cimzia, MarketScreener reported.
Why did UCB lift the BEL 20?
UCB now expects revenue growth in the low 20 percent range, compared with its earlier low-to-mid-teens outlook. Adjusted EBITDA growth is expected in the low-to-mid-40 percent range, up from the mid-teens to low 20 percent range, Investing.com reported.
The BEL 20's gain came despite weakness in several industrial shares. Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners 47 to 37, while 18 stocks finished unchanged, according to Investing.com.
Winners and losers in the BEL 20
The following closing moves were reported by Investing.com:
- UCB up 5.3 percent: stronger 2026 guidance and demand for key medicines.
- KBC Groep up 2.7 percent.
- Groep Brussel Lambert up 1.0 percent.
- Umicore down 3.8 percent.
- Azelis down 3.6 percent.
- Melexis down 1.2 percent.
BEL 20 closes at a one-month high
The index finished 46 points above its previous close of 5,736 points. The move extended a rebound led by large health care stocks, while the day's breadth improved across Brussels.
What comes next for the BEL 20
- October 26, 2026, 9:00 a.m. CET: Euronext Brussels begins the next regular session.
- October 26, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CET: Vastned publishes third-quarter results, ABM Financial News reported.
BEL 20 price data for October 23, 2026
The BEL 20 closed at 5,782 points on October 23, 2026, up 46 points or 0.8 percent from the previous close, ABM Financial News reported. The previous close was 5,736 points.
BEL 20 by the numbers on October 23, 2026
- Index: BEL 20
- Home exchange: Euronext Brussels, Belgium
- Close on October 23, 2026: 5,782 points
- Change versus previous close of October 22, 2026: up 46 points (up 0.8 percent)
- Previous close: 5,736 points
- Top gainer: UCB up 5.3 percent
- Top loser: Umicore down 3.8 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 26, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CET: Vastned third-quarter results
