BEL 20 rises 1.76% to 5,940.13 at European midday
Published on 11/04/2026 at 13:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSBEL 20 rallies in Brussels trading
- The BEL 20 stood at 5,940.13 points at 13:16 Berlin time on November 4, 2026, up 1.76 percent from the previous close.
- European banks and clean-energy stocks led the broader market advance after Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress.
- The index was well above the 5,853.47-point level cited in the previous midday BEL 20 report on November 2.
The BEL 20 was trading at 5,940.13 points at 13:16 Berlin time on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. That represented a gain of 102.61 points, or 1.76 percent, from the previous close of 5,837.52 points, according to market data. The reading places the Brussels benchmark substantially above the 5,853.47 points recorded in the previous midday BEL 20 report on November 2.
Election result lifts European sentiment
The advance came as European equities reacted to the US midterm elections. A Reuters report published on Euronext said Democrats had won control of both chambers of the US Congress. European shares recovered after an initially weak futures signal, while investors also took comfort from President Donald Trump's acceptance of the election result.
Banks and clean energy lead
Financial stocks were among the strongest performers across Europe. The Euro STOXX banks index was up nearly 4 percent in the Reuters report, as investors rotated toward domestically focused lenders that had lagged the broader market. The changed political balance in Washington was viewed as potentially reducing pressure on European banks with US exposure.
Clean-energy shares also advanced sharply after facing pressure under the Trump administration. Vestas rose 4 percent, Orsted gained 6.7 percent and Nordex climbed 5.3 percent, according to Reuters. The same report said Novo Nordisk gained 4.2 percent after raising its full-year sales and profit forecasts following stronger-than-expected third-quarter adjusted operating profit. These regional and sector developments provide the broader backdrop for the BEL 20's midday rise, without establishing that any single factor caused the index move.
US outlook remains in focus
Investors were also weighing the possible consequences of tighter Democratic oversight of artificial-intelligence companies. Technology trading was described as mixed, while the European defence sector lagged. Eurozone flash consumer inflation for October was scheduled for release later in the day, leaving another potential macroeconomic input for markets before the US session.
Further BEL 20 coverage is available on the BEL 20 topic page.
