Stock Markets May 15, 2026 11:30 AM

Istanbul market closes lower as telecoms, insurance and banks drag BIST 100 down 1.89%

Broad declines leave losers outnumbering winners by more than three to one as commodities and FX show mixed moves

By Nina Shah

Turkey's main equity benchmark, the BIST 100, ended Friday trading down 1.89% after losses in the Telecoms, Insurance and Banking sectors weighed on the market. Market breadth was negative, with 452 decliners versus 148 advancers. Select large-cap names bucked the trend while several mid- and small-cap names recorded double-digit drops. Commodities and FX moved noticeably: gold futures fell sharply, crude oil and Brent rose, and the lira weakened modestly against the dollar.

Istanbul market closes lower as telecoms, insurance and banks drag BIST 100 down 1.89%

Key Points

  • BIST 100 closed down 1.89% with broad-based selling; 452 stocks fell versus 148 that gained.
  • Selective gains were recorded in Batisoke Soke Cimento (BSOKE), Fenerbahce Futbol (FENER) and Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri (TUPRS), while KONTR, GESAN and EFOR had double-digit percentage declines.
  • Commodities and FX were mixed: gold futures dropped markedly, crude and Brent oil rose, and USD/TRY inched higher.

Turkey's equity market closed lower on Friday, with the BIST 100 sliding 1.89% as selling pressure in Telecoms, Insurance and Banking names contributed to the decline.

At the close in Istanbul, the index recorded a clear loss for the session, with declining issues outnumbering advancing issues by a wide margin - 452 stocks fell while 148 advanced and 19 finished unchanged.

Among individual performers, Batisoke Soke Cimento Sanayi TAS (BSOKE) was the session's top gainer on the BIST 100, finishing up 3.56% to 38.38. Fenerbahce Futbol AS (FENER) rose 2.59% to close at 3.57, and Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS (TUPRS) ended higher by 1.97% at 258.50.

Conversely, several names posted steep losses. Kontrolmatik Teknoloji Enerji ve Mu (KONTR) led decliners on the index with a 10.00% drop to 8.46. Girisim Elektrik Taahhut Ticaret & Sanayi AS (GESAN) also fell 10.00%, settling at 58.05, while Efor Yatirim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (EFOR) declined 9.97% to end the session at 11.20.

Commodity markets showed mixed moves during the trading session. Gold futures for June delivery fell sharply, down 2.92% or 136.75 to trade at 4,548.55 a troy ounce. Energy commodities moved higher - crude oil for June delivery gained 3.39% to 104.60 a barrel, and the July Brent contract rose 2.99% to 108.88 a barrel.

Foreign exchange markets reflected modest lira weakness versus the US dollar, with USD/TRY up 0.26% at 45.54. EUR/TRY edged lower by 0.22% to 53.04. The US Dollar Index Futures finished the session up 0.47% at 99.19.

Overall, the session was characterized by broad-based selling across several domestic sectors, while a subset of names, including cement, sports and refining companies, recorded gains. Market participants will note the divergence between equity weakness and the rise in crude prices, as well as the pronounced move lower in gold futures.


Market snapshot

  • BIST 100 -1.89%
  • Advancers: 148 | Decliners: 452 | Unchanged: 19
  • Top gainers: BSOKE +3.56%, FENER +2.59%, TUPRS +1.97%
  • Top losers: KONTR -10.00%, GESAN -10.00%, EFOR -9.97%
  • Gold (Jun) -2.92% to 4,548.55/oz
  • Crude oil (Jun) +3.39% to $104.60/bbl; Brent (Jul) +2.99% to $108.88/bbl
  • FX: USD/TRY +0.26% at 45.54; EUR/TRY -0.22% at 53.04
  • US Dollar Index Futures +0.47% at 99.19

This close-of-day report reflects trading activity and quoted prices at the Istanbul market close and in related futures and FX instruments. No additional commentary on causes beyond the session's observed moves is included here.

Risks

  • Continued sectoral selling in Telecoms, Insurance and Banking could prolong downward pressure on the BIST 100 - this affects financial and communications sector exposures.
  • Sharp moves in individual small- and mid-cap names - exemplified by KONTR, GESAN and EFOR - indicate elevated idiosyncratic risk in less liquid stocks.
  • Volatility in commodities and FX markets, including a steep drop in gold futures and rising crude prices, may introduce cross-asset uncertainty for market participants.

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