Ibex 35 reaches record highs as US jobs data and Iran‑US talks lift the market

Spain's Ibex 35 index posted a series of fresh all‑time highs in late May, climbing above 19,800 points and ending the week at 19,852.40 after gains of up to 2 %. The rally was spurred by a strong U.S. employment report and a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that eased geopolitical tensions, pushing oil prices down to around $71‑72 per barrel.

Corporate news added to optimism: ING acquired roughly 40 % of Singular Bank, French defence group Thales moved to buy out Exail Technologies, Acciona Energía sold hydraulic assets, Unicaja amortised green bonds early, and CaixaBank expanded its share‑repurchase programme. Analysts highlighted the continued impact of artificial‑intelligence investments and a robust tourism sector.

The bullish market also translated into large dividend payouts. Data from the Spanish tax agency showed that almost 600 high‑earning Galicians earned about €833 million in dividends and share‑based earnings in the past year, concentrating a substantial share of the market’s returns among wealthier investors.