What is the BEL 20 index?

The BEL 20 is a benchmark index of stocks that are traded on the Brussels Stock Exchange, now known as Euronext Brussels. It’s made up of the 20 largest and most actively traded stocks on the exchange.

Where have you heard about the BEL 20 index?

The BEL 20 isn’t one of the main global stock market indexes that everyone’s heard of, but it is a key indicator of the Belgian economy as a whole. In May 2007, it reached an all-time high of 4756.82.

What you need to know about the BEL 20 index.

The 20 companies listed on the BEL 20 are reviewed annually based on closing prices on the last Friday in February. Any changes made come into effect after the third Friday in March.

To qualify for the index, a company must be 'representative of the Belgian equity market', and at least 15% of its shares must be publicly traded.

Like every other market index, the BEL 20 is affected by world events such as natural disasters, political unrest and economic downturns. In September 2000, the Brussels Stock Exchange merged with exchanges in Amsterdam and Paris to form Euronext, a cross-border European exchange.