BEL 20 rises 0.61 percent to new one-month high
Published on 11/02/2026 at 18:37 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSBEL 20 closes higher in Brussels
- The BEL 20 gained 0.61 percent on November 2, 2026, reaching a new one-month high.
- Aperam, Sofina and Anheuser-Busch InBev led the gainers, while argenx and UCB declined.
- Belgian political uncertainty remained a key backdrop after budget talks collapsed and the prime minister offered his resignation.
The BEL 20 ended Monday's session 0.61 percent higher, according to a Reuters report carried by Investing.com. The Brussels benchmark reached a new one-month high in the November 2, 2026 session.
Broad advance led by selected shares
Market breadth was positive: 60 stocks rose on the Brussels Stock Exchange, 27 declined and 16 finished unchanged. Aperam was the strongest BEL 20 performer, adding 3.82 percent to 35.36 euros. Sofina gained 3.64 percent to 285.00 euros, while Anheuser-Busch InBev rose 2.83 percent to 74.00 euros.
At the other end of the index, argenx fell 2.87 percent to 784.00 euros and UCB lost 1.17 percent to 278.10 euros. Melexis was 0.36 percent higher at 55.80 euros. The session gains were concentrated in consumer goods, industrials and consumer services, the Reuters market summary said.
Political uncertainty remains a backdrop
Belgian markets also faced a renewed domestic political challenge. In a Reuters report published by Euronext, Prime Minister Bart De Wever was reported to have offered his resignation after coalition parties failed to reach agreement on next year's budget. King Philippe was expected to consult other coalition leaders before deciding how to proceed.
The report said Belgium's 10-year government bond yield stood at 4.39 percent on Monday afternoon, compared with 4.90 percent for France and 3.29 percent for Germany. The political developments therefore form an important risk backdrop for Belgian equities, although the closing report does not establish that they caused the BEL 20's daily move.
Market context for investors
The positive close came alongside a strong session for selected Belgian large caps rather than a uniform advance across all constituents. Aperam and Sofina provided notable support, while weakness in argenx and UCB limited the overall gain. Investors tracking the index should distinguish the completed Brussels session from subsequent moves in US markets, which are not reflected in this BEL 20 close.
Further BEL 20 coverage is available on the BEL 20 topic page.
