The Bucharest Stock Exchange is, so far, the best-performing capital market in Europe in 2026. The main index BET has recorded an increase of approximately 26% since the beginning of the year and nearly 66% in the last 12 months (practically, after the resumed presidential elections).
According to an analysis published by Ziarul Financiar, the performance of the Romanian market exceeds the developments recorded by the exchanges in Austria, Hungary, or Spain, despite the difficult economic and political context in Romania.
In the European ranking, Hungary ranks second, with a growth of 24.6% since the beginning of the year, followed by Austria, with 22.3%, and Spain, with 12.7%. The French stock exchange has advanced by only 2.3% in the same period.
Growth despite inflation and political crisis
The evolution of the capital market comes at a time when Romania faces the highest inflation in the European Union, nearly 11%, and prolonged political uncertainties.
The country has not had a fully empowered government since May 5, after the Parliament rejected the second prime minister designated by President Nicușor Dan.
Although the political scene has been marked by the fall of the Government, the Bucharest Stock Exchange has continued to rise, with the BET index accumulating an increase of nearly 10% since then.
Energy, banks, and utilities support the market
According to the analysis, one of the reasons explaining the stock market's resilience is the structure of the BET index, dominated by companies in the energy, utilities, and banking sectors.
These sectors are less dependent on domestic consumption and have managed to generate solid profits even in a complicated economic context.
Given that inflation reduces the real value of savings held in bank deposits, stocks have remained one of the few options capable of offering positive returns for many investors.
Over the last 12 months, BET has risen by 65.8% in lei and by almost 60% in euros, significantly outperforming the exchanges in Austria (51%), Hungary (42%), and Spain (41%).