Quince valores a la carrera en Bolsa

The top 15 Spanish companies that outperformed the average of their European peers are Quince. These companies include Repsol, Endesa, Naturgy, Iberdrola, ArcelorMittal, Acerinox, Unicaja, BBVA, Santander, Puig, ACS, Dia, Línea Directa, IAG and Meliá. They achieved this in a year where European stock markets rose between 3% and 12.37%, with the Ibex closing at a 10.27% gain.

The most buoyant sector is energy, with Repsol leading the pack as the top performer in the European energy sector this year, with a near 35.24% increase. This surge is due to the rise in oil prices, which have surpassed $100 per barrel. The scarcity of refining capacity is also contributing to the higher prices of gasoline and diesel, putting pressure on their prices, according to Manuel Pinto of XTB.

The protective measures imposed on the steel industry in Europe are also boosting ArcelorMittal's stock, making it the top performer in the sector this year with a 46.53% increase. Analysts are optimistic about the steel business, especially in Europe, where they expect volume growth in the second half of 2026. ArcelorMittal has shown positive signs with an increase in ordering portfolios and factory utilization in Europe.

Furthermore, investments have flowed into Acerinox, which has risen by around 36.41%, benefiting from the shift in the stainless steel cycle, with the U.S. being the main driver of profitability and Europe gaining traction due to commercial protection. Bank stocks have also been performing well, with Unicaja, BBVA, Santander, and CaixaBank leading the way, outperforming the European sector average by a wide margin.

Unicaja is the top performer among financial institutions, with a 20% increase and an expected 12-month dividend return nearing 7%. However, analysts remain cautious following the rally, awaiting the next results to be presented on October 30. BBVA has seen an 18.35% increase since January, while Santander has gained 17.25% during the same period and has an 81.5% buy recommendation.

Santander's growth potential is valued at 17%, with a target price of 13.84 euros, according to experts, thanks to the positive sentiment surrounding its future prospects. New purchases from American Webster and British TSB are also signaling future growth for Santander, with analysts maintaining the bank in their portfolios due to strong earnings growth, supported by commercial expansion, cost control, and low risk.

Santander is set to release its quarterly results on October 28. Along with the bank's profits, its attractive dividend return, both through share buybacks and cash payouts, also contributes to its appeal. The sector offers a dividend return of 5% on average. Endesa has risen by around 37%, driving the growth of European utilities companies with its share buyback program worth 2 billion euros, of which more than half has already been executed.

Experts continue to recommend Endesa for its growth potential, supported by the network and renewable energy business, and its strong financial structure, which enables it to benefit from the energy transition.