IBEX 35 closes at 18,807.2 points as oil and US elections weigh
Published on 11/03/2026 at 22:53 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSIBEX 35 ends lower amid uncertainty
- The IBEX 35 closed 0.79% lower at 18,807.2 points on November 3, 2026.
- Investors focused on US midterm elections, renewed Middle East tensions and persistent technology-sector weakness.
- Grifols, Solaria and ACS were among the strongest performers, while ArcelorMittal, Inditex and Bankinter led declines.
- Brent crude ended the European session at 103.35 US dollars per barrel, according to Europa Press.
The IBEX 35 ended Tuesday's session lower, giving up 0.79% to close at 18,807.2 points. The dated closing figure was reported by Europa Press. The Spanish benchmark recovered from its session lows but remained below the 19,000-point threshold.
Election uncertainty shapes sentiment
Market attention was directed toward the US midterm elections taking place on Tuesday. Europa Press quoted Renta 4 analysts as saying that a divided US Congress could limit the agenda of President Donald Trump, with potential implications for tariffs, fiscal policy, equities and the dollar. The election outcome was therefore an important event risk for investors beyond the Spanish market.
Renewed uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East also remained part of the market backdrop. According to Europa Press, investors followed developments involving Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and possible negotiations. Bolsamania likewise described the session as being shaped by the US vote, Middle East tensions and continuing doubts about technology shares.
Energy prices remain a market variable
Oil prices changed direction during the European session after a volatile start. Europa Press reported Brent at 103.35 US dollars per barrel at the European close, down 1.36%, while West Texas Intermediate stood at 95.85 US dollars, down 0.63%. The move provided a different backdrop from the previous session, when lower oil prices had supported European risk appetite. The renewed volatility kept energy-sensitive Spanish shares and the broader market in focus.
Mixed performance among index constituents
Grifols gained 2.09%, Solaria rose 1.80% and ACS advanced 1.26%, according to Europa Press. Repsol and Acciona also finished higher. On the weaker side, ArcelorMittal fell 2.45%, while Inditex and Bankinter each lost 2.40%. Mapfre, Indra and Acerinox also declined. The broad distribution of gains and losses reflected a session in which defensive positioning, commodity exposure and company-specific developments competed with the wider political and geopolitical risks.
For investors, the closing move leaves the IBEX 35 sensitive to the next signals from US politics, oil markets and the Middle East. The index's performance should be assessed separately from individual constituent moves, as the day's leadership was mixed across financial, industrial, consumer and energy shares. Further coverage is available on the IBEX 35 topic page.
