National Bank of Hungary Governor Mihály Varga used remarks at the Budapest Stock Exchange opening bell ceremony to link the exchange’s recent record performance to broader economic and financial stability, while signaling that a key priority is to channel more household savings into the equity market. He said the central bank remained focused on maintaining stability and presented the stock exchange’s performance as contributing to that objective. Varga said the Hungarian stock market had grown more than four and a half times over roughly the past decade, while the number of equity issuers had risen by nearly 40%, bringing the number of traded shares to 154 companies. He said the BUX index was trading near 140,000 and described the Budapest Stock Exchange as the second-most important exchange in the region after Warsaw. On household participation, he said Hungarian households held more than HUF 124,000 billion in financial wealth, of which about HUF 26,000 billion was freely disposable, leaving scope for further growth in equity investment. He also cited recent macro-financial indicators that, in his view, supported stability, including June inflation of 1.7%, an EUR/HUF exchange rate around HUF 360 compared with HUF 410 in April of the previous year, and foreign exchange reserves at a record EUR 61 billion.
National Bank of Hungary2026-07-22
National Bank of Hungary governor highlights Budapest Stock Exchange records and urges greater household investment in equities
In remarks at the Budapest Stock Exchange, National Bank of Hungary Governor Mihály Varga highlighted record stock market performance and said a priority is to increase the share of household savings invested in equities. He said the market has expanded more than four and a half times over the past decade, with 154 listed equities, while households hold more than HUF 124,000 billion in financial wealth, including about HUF 26,000 billion that is freely disposable. Varga also pointed to June inflation of 1.7%, an EUR/HUF rate around 360, and record foreign exchange reserves of EUR 61 billion as signs of stability.