Stock Markets February 23, 2026

Spanish Stocks Close Higher as IBEX 35 Marks New Record High

Financial services, chemicals and consumer services lead gains while select industrial and travel names lag

By Derek Hwang TEF ELE IDR
Spanish Stocks Close Higher as IBEX 35 Marks New Record High
TEF ELE IDR

Madrid's benchmark index closed higher on Monday, with the IBEX 35 rising 0.57% to register a new all-time high. Gains were concentrated in Financial Services & Real Estate, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic and Consumer Services, while a number of industrial and travel-related stocks posted declines. Market breadth was mixed as decliners outnumbered advancers.

Key Points

  • IBEX 35 rose 0.57% to close at a new all-time high, supported by gains in Financial Services & Real Estate, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic and Consumer Services sectors.
  • Top individual performers included ArcelorMittal (up 2.77% to 56.32), Telefonica (up 2.10% to 3.65) and Endesa (up 1.72% to 32.01); notable decliners were Indra A, Amadeus IT and International Consolidated Airlines Group.
  • Commodities and FX moved mixedly: April gold futures jumped to $5,229.74/oz, April crude fell to $66.32/bbl, Brent May traded at $71.13/bbl, EUR/USD at 1.18 and the US Dollar Index Futures at 97.51.

Spain's stock market ended the trading day in positive territory on Monday, with the IBEX 35 finishing up 0.57% and closing at a fresh record high. The advance was driven by strength in several sector groups, notably Financial Services & Real Estate, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic and Consumer Services.

At the close in Madrid, gains were led by ArcelorMittal SA (BME:MTS), which rose 2.77% - equal to a 1.52 point increase - to settle at 56.32. Telefonica (BME:TEF) added 2.10%, gaining 0.08 points to end the session at 3.65, and Endesa SA (BME:ELE) climbed 1.72%, up 0.54 points to close at 32.01.

Not all names participated in the rally. Indra A (BME:IDR) was the weakest performer on the IBEX 35, falling 3.52% or 1.90 points to finish at 52.15. Amadeus IT (BME:AMA) declined 2.98%, a 1.46 point drop to 47.54, and International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (BME:ICAG) slipped 1.74% or 0.09 points to 4.92.

On market breadth, decliners outnumbered advancers on the Madrid Stock Exchange by 97 to 85, with 24 issues unchanged at the close.

Notably, shares of ArcelorMittal SA reached five-year highs during the session, reflecting a 2.77% or 1.52 point rise to the 56.32 close.

Commodities trading showed mixed moves alongside equity markets. Gold futures for April delivery rose substantially, up 2.93% or 148.84 to $5,229.74 a troy ounce. By contrast, crude oil for April delivery edged lower, falling 0.24% or 0.16 to $66.32 a barrel, while the May Brent contract was down 0.24% or 0.17 to trade at $71.13 a barrel.

In currency and index moves, EUR/USD was unchanged 0.20% to 1.18, and EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.06% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.22% to 97.51.

The session highlighted a selective rally across Spain's market, with winners concentrated in several sectors and a handful of prominent laggards weighing on breadth measures as the IBEX 35 recorded a new high.

Risks

  • Market breadth was weak despite the index rise - more stocks declined (97) than advanced (85), indicating uneven participation across sectors - this can affect the sustainability of the overall index gain.
  • Selective weakness in travel and industrial-related names such as Amadeus IT and International Consolidated Airlines Group highlights exposure to sector-specific headwinds that could pressure those segments.
  • Volatility in commodity prices - contrasting moves in gold and oil during the session - introduces uncertainty for materials, energy and industrial companies that are sensitive to input costs and market sentiment.

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