BEL 20 closes higher as UCB rallies 2.0 percent

Published on 10/22/2026 at 18:46 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

BEL 20 ended at 5,736 points after UCB raised its 2026 outlook, while healthcare shares led Brussels trading on October 22.

Guidance and breadth shape trading

BEL 20 closed at 5,736 points on October 22, up 111 points or 2.0 percent.
UCB raised its 2026 revenue growth outlook to the low 20 percent range.
UCB led gainers with a 21.6 percent advance, while Umicore fell 4.6 percent.
Eurozone flash purchasing managers' indexes are due October 23 at 10:00 a.m. CEST.

BEL 20, BE0389555039, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

The BEL 20 closed at 5,736 points on October 22, gaining 111 points or 2.0 percent. The index rose as UCB raised its 2026 outlook, while healthcare, consumer services and telecommunications shares led the advance, Investing.com reported.

UCB surged 21.6 percent after citing stronger United States demand for Bimzelx and better volume and pricing for Cimzia in its upgraded outlook, Investing.com reported.

Why did the BEL 20 rise on October 22?

UCB's guidance reset dominated the session. The company raised its 2026 revenue-growth forecast to the low 20 percent range from the low-to-mid teens. It also lifted adjusted EBITDA growth guidance to the low-to-mid 40 percent range from the mid-teens to low 20 percent range.

The move outweighed weakness in several other large stocks. Declining shares outnumbered advancing shares by 58 to 27, with 17 unchanged, even as the index gained 1.97 percent, Investing.com reported.

Winners and losers in the BEL 20

Winners and losers at the October 22 close according to Investing.com:

UCB up 21.6 percent: raised 2026 guidance.
Anheuser-Busch InBev up 2.5 percent.
Elia up 0.6 percent.
Umicore down 4.6 percent.
KBC down 4.6 percent.
Azelis down 4.6 percent.

BEL 20 rebounds from the opening loss

The BEL 20 opened at 5,590 points, after Wednesday's close at 5,626 points. It reached a high of 5,757 points and a low of 5,586 points during the session, based on Euronext data.

The closing level was 110.70 points above the previous close. The benchmark remained 2.9 percent below its 52-week high of 5,906 points, a level shown in Investing.com's market data.

What comes next for the BEL 20

October 23, 2026, 7:00 a.m. CEST: Belysse, WDP and Xior are scheduled to release third-quarter results, Beursduivel lists.
October 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST: Eurozone flash composite purchasing managers' indexes are due, MarketScreener shows.
October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m. CEST: Belgium business confidence is scheduled, with a forecast of minus 12.1, Investing.com shows.

BEL 20 price data for October 22, 2026

The BEL 20 closed at 5,736.27 points on October 22, 2026, up 110.70 points or 1.97 percent from 5,625.57 points, Investing.com reported. It opened at 5,590.23 points and traded between 5,586.04 and 5,756.51 points, according to Euronext.

BEL 20 by the numbers on October 22, 2026

Index: BEL 20
Home exchange: Euronext Brussels, Belgium
Close on October 22, 2026: 5,736 points
Change versus previous close of October 21, 2026: up 111 points (up 2.0 percent)
Previous close: 5,626 points
Open: 5,590 points
Day high / day low: 5,757 points / 5,586 points
Top gainer: UCB up 21.6 percent
Top loser: Umicore down 4.6 percent
Distance to record high: 2.9 percent (5,906 points on October 22, 2026)
Next scheduled event: October 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST: Eurozone flash composite purchasing managers' indexes