BUX Fell This Week Amid Declining Trading Volume

The Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE) stock index fell this week amid declining trading volume; on Friday, the BUX closed at 140,981.27 points, down 1.04% from the previous week. Weekly trading volume totaled HUF 102.8 billion, down from HUF 104.7 billion the previous week, with leading stocks – with the exception of Mol – posting losses.

Stock prices were primarily influenced by international sentiment – specifically, fears related to the conflict in Iran. Leading stocks posted mixed results.

In its weekly summary sent to MTI, Equilor Investment Ltd. noted that a target price cut had been issued for Richter shares. Jefferies lowered the target price from HUF 15,095 to HUF 14,759, while the recommendation remains a “buy.”

They also pointed out that Mol’s special tax had changed. The 95% tax rate remains in effect for the portion of the Brent-Ural spread above USD 5, while a 50% special tax will apply to the portion between USD 2 and USD 5 – a range to which the tax had not previously applied.

According to the government’s plans, the extra-profit taxes may be phased out in 2028, depending on the medium-term macroeconomic outlook. However, Mol may soon receive the first installment of insurance compensation for the Százhalombatta fire; this month, the company expects a partial payment of USD 100 million from the insurance consortium for the fire that occurred at the Danube Refinery in October 2025.

Among the leading stocks this week, Mol gained ground, with its share price rising 2.21%; on Friday, the stock closed at HUF 4,166, with weekly trading volume exceeding HUF 17.1 billion.

OTP’s share price fell by 2.88% this week; its closing price on Friday was HUF 44,480, with weekly trading volume totaling more than HUF 71.6 billion.

Richter’s share price fell 0.91% for the week; the stock closed at HUF 11,980 on Friday, with weekly trading volume exceeding HUF 7.9 billion.

Magyar Telekom’s share price weakened by 0.38%; the stock closed at HUF 2,640 on Friday, with weekly trading volume exceeding HUF 4.1 billion.

The BUMIX index, which tracks small- and mid-cap stocks, rose 0.77%, or 71.01 points, closing the week at 9,349.26 points.