IBEX 35 closes 1.2 percent higher as banks rally
Published on 10/21/2026 at 18:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSBanking gains and earnings ahead
- IBEX 35 ended at 19,324 points on October 21, up 231 points or 1.2 percent.
- Iberdrola posted 5,816 million euros in nine-month profit, up 9.6 percent year over year.
- Banco Santander led the IBEX 35 gainers, rising 2.1 percent at the close.
- Bankinter's third-quarter earnings are due before October 22's 9:00 a.m. CEST open.
The IBEX 35 closed at 19,324 points on October 21, 2026, up 231 points or 1.2 percent. Banking shares led the advance as investors weighed Iberdrola's stronger earnings and higher outlook.
Banco Santander was the strongest major mover, rising 2.1 percent at the close. Iberdrola reported 5,816 million euros in nine-month net profit, up 9.6 percent year over year, and raised its 2026 outlook, MarketScreener reports.
Why did the IBEX 35 rise today?
The financial-services and real-estate sectors led gains at the close, followed by building and construction and chemical, petroleum and plastic stocks, Investing.com reports. The advance came despite a French 10-year bond yield reaching 5 percent, while the oil price remained above USD 110, XTB says.
Iberdrola's networks business helped support the earnings reaction. Its network EBITDA rose 15 percent year over year, while the company lifted adjusted profit-growth guidance to more than 10 percent, Bolsamania reports.
Winners and losers in the IBEX 35
Closing rankings for October 21, 2026, from Democrata:
- Banco Santander up 2.1 percent
- Bankinter up 2.0 percent
- Ferrovial up 1.9 percent
- Cellnex down 0.9 percent
- Amadeus down 0.9 percent
- Grifols down 0.7 percent
IBEX 35 rebounds from the opening weakness
The index opened at 19,076 points after an initial decline, then recovered above 19,200 points during the session. It finished near the 19,300-point level as buying spread across banks and other cyclical shares.
What comes next for the IBEX 35
- October 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m. CEST: Bankinter's third-quarter earnings are due before the Madrid open, MyPortfolio lists.
- October 22, 2026, 8:00 a.m. CEST: Spain's flash third-quarter gross domestic product and preliminary October inflation data are scheduled, Trading Economics shows.
- October 22, 2026, 1:15 p.m. CEST: The European Central Bank interest-rate decision is scheduled, followed by its press conference at 1:45 p.m. CEST, Trading Economics shows.
IBEX 35 price data for October 21, 2026
The IBEX 35 closed at 19,324 points on October 21, 2026, up 231 points or 1.2 percent versus the previous close of 19,092 points, as MarketScreener shows. It opened at 19,076 points.
IBEX 35 by the numbers on October 21, 2026
- Index: IBEX 35
- Home exchange: BME Exchange, Spain
- Close on October 21, 2026: 19,324 points
- Change versus previous close of October 20, 2026: up 231 points (up 1.2 percent)
- Previous close: 19,092 points
- Open: 19,076 points
- Top gainer: Banco Santander up 2.1 percent
- Top loser: Cellnex down 0.9 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m. CEST: Bankinter third-quarter earnings
