Stock Exchange Index Up by over 10% in April

After a period of relative stability, the Budapest Stock Exchange regained momentum following the parliamentary elections. The BUX index closed April at 133,787.99 points, representing a 10.2% increase compared to March. Stock market activity picked up even further, with trading volume exceeding the previous month’s level.

In terms of the most popular stocks, OTP Bank, MOL and Richter Gedeon took the top three spots, with trading volumes of HUF 588.3, 78.9, and 74.6 billion, respectively, while among brokerage firms, WOOD & Company continued to hold the top spot, ahead of Concorde and ERSTE, according to a statement from the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE).

On international stock exchanges, investor attention focused primarily on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, the earnings season—particularly in the technology sector—and geopolitical developments, which overall resulted in mixed movements in the leading markets.

Domestically, several local factors shaped investor sentiment beyond the publication of issuers’ 2025 annual reports. At the beginning of the month, the composition of the BUX index basket was modified, with MBH Bank, PannErgy, and Shopper Park Plus added as new constituents, bringing the total number of components in the index to 18.

OTP Bank (42.55%), MOL (21.40%), and Richter Gedeon (18.24%) shares continued to dominate the weighting, according to data as of April 1.

Following the parliamentary elections on Sunday, April 12, brisk trading began on the Budapest Stock Exchange, which also led to a rally in the stock markets. As a result, the BUX index began to rise, reaching its highest peak to date on April 15 at 139,499.37 points. Compared to March, the index ended April with a 10.2% increase at 133,787.99 points, a trend mirrored by the BUMIX and CETOP NTR indices, which closed the month at 9,133.99 and 2,718.76 points, respectively.