The Istanbul Stock Exchange saw a steep decline on the last trading day of the week, with the BIST 100 index plunging as much as 3.5% during the session. The index closed down 2.09%, while the banking sector lost 1.74%. Demand for the U.S. dollar also surged.
As the market continues to trade within a narrow range, the BIST 100 index ended the week in negative territory. There is no official explanation for the drop, but speculation suggests it followed the leak of certain news. However, the details of this news remain undisclosed. Two major rumors are circulating:
One is that MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli has passed away. Reports indicate that Bahçeli’s health has deteriorated, though no official confirmation of his death has been made.
The second speculation is that a trustee may be appointed to oversee the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Rumors suggest the government could initiate a trustee appointment over the weekend, but no official statement has been issued.
The BIST 100 index finished the day at 9,602.16 points, down 2.09%. The index lost 205.34 points compared to the previous close, with total trading volume reaching 107.8 billion lira. The banking sector fell 1.74%, while the holding sector dropped 1.18%.
Among sector indices, financial leasing and factoring were the only gainers, rising 4.20%, while mining took the biggest hit, falling 5.43%.
On the global stage, markets remain mixed amid uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and the Federal Reserve’s future policy direction.
