IBEX 35 Rises Despite Fresh Political Uncertainty

Spain’s IBEX 35 index rose to around 19,200 on Monday, remaining resilient despite fresh domestic political uncertainty. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called an early general election for November 29 after Congress rejected two housing decrees, following weekend protests over housing affordability. Sánchez said the election was needed to “renew people’s support” and secure a larger parliamentary majority to advance his agenda. On the data front, Spain’s services PMI rose to 58.3 in September from 57.8 in August, above the expected 56.8 and matching July’s three-and-a-half-year high, although cost pressures intensified and business sentiment weakened. Among major stocks, Merlin Properties rose 3.2%, while Banco Santander gained 1.9% and Telefónica advanced 1.5%. On the flipside, Acciona fell 2.4%, followed by ArcelorMittal at 2.3% and Enagás at 1.9%.

Spain’s IBEX 35 index dropped over 2.5% to 19,095 points on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump criticized Spain as a "terrible partner in NATO," claiming it "doesn’t pay" or participate. He stated that he does not want anything to do with Spain and urged to cut off all trade, including visits, adding that Spain would come running back to negotiate. In response, Spain’s government, in a statement to El País, said it aims to maintain a strong relationship with the US and is receiving Trump’s remarks "calmly." The sell-off was also driven by escalating Middle East tensions, which pushed oil prices higher, fueled inflation concerns, and increased bets on European Central Bank rate hikes, darkening the economic outlook. Brent crude hit two-week highs following renewed US-Iran strikes, with Trump declaring the Iran ceasefire "over." Traders now price in over 30 bps of additional ECB tightening this year, signaling at least one potential rate hike, possibly as early as September.

ES35 increased to an all-time high of 18600.00 Index Points. Over the past 4 weeks, Spain Stock Market Index (ES35) gained 5.39%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 33.76%.