Hungarian BUX and Romanian BET post weekly gains amid mixed market sentiment

The Budapest Stock Exchange (BUX) closed the week slightly higher, rising 0.12% to 139,790.13 points, a historic peak. Weekly turnover reached 137.5 billion forints, driven by strong performance of OTP Bank, which gained 4.16% and posted over 90.7 billion forints in trade. The Hungarian National Bank cut its base rate to 6%, signalling further possible reductions this summer, while inflation expectations were lowered to 1.8% for the year.

In Bucharest, the BET index finished the week marginally negative, slipping 0.1% after earlier climbing about 0.7% and touching a new intraday high near 32,110 points. Over the five sessions, the index recorded a 3.8% advance, keeping yearly returns above 30%. Top losers were OMV Petrom, Sphera Franchise Group and Transport Trade Services; gainers included Aquila, Electrica and Digi Communications. Total market liquidity amounted to 84.6 million lei, with OMV Petrom, Banca Transilvania and Romgaz leading in turnover.