Septembers in numbers

August 1

- The first package of fiscal measures established by the Government enters into force, which provides, among other things, for the increase in VAT from 19 to 21%, the introduction of a single reduced rate of 11% for basic food and other essential products, the increase in excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and fuels, the additional taxation of dividends and large profits, as well as the introduction of CASS for pensions exceeding 3,000 lei.

- The National Bank of Romania announces that, as of July 31, 2025, foreign exchange reserves at the National Bank of Romania stood at 63,225 million euros, compared to 58,281 million euros on June 30, 2025. The level of the gold reserve remained at 103.6 tons. Given the evolution of international prices, its value stood at 9,639 million euros. Romania's international reserves (currency plus gold) on July 31, 2025 were 72,864 million euros, compared to 67,627 million euros on June 30, 2025.

- The euro rises to the maximum exchange rate of the month against the leu: 5.0770 lei, according to NBR figures.

- The franc reaches the maximum exchange rate of the month against our currency: 5.4544 lei, according to NBR data.

- The dollar - at the highest exchange rate of the month against our currency: 4.4557 lei, according to NBR.

- The government approves a first aid package for disaster victims in Suceava and Neamţ counties.

• August 5

- Ion Iliescu, the first elected president of Romania after the 1989 Revolution, passed away.

- Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan declares that the government is preparing the second package of reforms, mainly aimed at restructuring public administration.

- Euro - at the lowest rate of the month against the leu: 5.0539 lei, according to NBR data.

• August 7

- National day of mourning in memory of former president Ion Iliescu, buried with military honors.

- Minister of Development, Cseke Attila, announces that the proposals aimed at administrative reform have been published, in decisional transparency, and which will be part of the next package of measures of the Government.

• August 8

- The Board of Directors of the National Bank of Romania decides the following: maintaining the monetary policy interest rate at the level of 6.50% per annum; maintaining the interest rate for the lending facility (Lombard) at 7.50% per annum and the interest rate for the deposit facility at 5.50% per annum; maintaining the levels of the minimum reserve requirements for liabilities in lei and in foreign currency of credit institutions.

- President Nicuşor Dan signs the decree establishing the vacancy of a position of deputy prime minister through the resignation, on July 27, of Dragoş Anastasiu.

- The gram of gold reaches the maximum price of the month: 476.2885 lei, according to the NBR.

August 11

- Education trade unionists announce that they will boycott the start of the school year amid new reform measures in the field.

• August 13

- Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announces that the Government is preparing a legislative package for the reorganization of the 36 subordinate institutions, aiming to reduce operating expenses and increase their efficiency.

- The National Bank of Romania (BNR) announces that, in the period January-June 2025, the current account of the balance of payments recorded a deficit of 13,897 million euros, compared to 11,682 million euros in the period January-June 2024. In its structure, the balance of goods recorded a deficit higher by 1,918 million euros, the balance of services - a surplus higher by 480 million euros, the balance of primary income - a deficit lower by 111 million euros, and the balance of secondary income - a surplus lower by 888 million euros.

- The dollar - at the lowest exchange rate of the month against our currency: 4.3173 lei, according to the National Bank of Romania.

• August 14

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange announces that the Ministry of Finance has raised 552.3 million lei and 195 million euros (the equivalent of 1.53 billion lei) through the seventh public offering of Fidelis government bonds due 2025, the securities being listed on the BVB.

• August 16

- The international financial rating agency Fitch reconfirms Romania's sovereign rating at BBB-/ F3 for long-term and short-term foreign currency debt, but maintains a negative outlook.

• August 18

- The franc reaches the minimum exchange rate of the month against our currency: 5.3652 lei, according to the BNR.

• August 19

- The Government approves the draft emergency ordinance on the limitation of projects financed through the PNRR and government programs such as Anghel Saligny.

• August 20

- UniCredit Bank, which recently took over Alpha Bank Romania, became a participant in the BVB trading system.

- The gram of gold, quoted at the minimum level of the month: 464.7759 lei, according to the NBR.

• August 26

- The NBR informs that the broad money supply (M3) recorded, at the end of July 2025, a balance of 752,060.6 million lei. This increased by 0.9% (-1.8% in real terms) compared to June 2025, and compared to July 2024 it increased by 9.3% (1.3% in real terms).

• August 28

- The Ministry of Finance announces that the budget deficit reached 76.44 billion lei, or 4.04% of GDP in the first seven months of 2025, compared to 71.04 billion lei, or also 4.04% of GDP in the same period in 2024.

• August 29

- City halls across the country go on strike, in protest against the massive layoffs announced by the Government.

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) announces that it will participate in the initial share capital of the new stock exchange in the Republic of Moldova with an amount equivalent to 400,000 euros, out of an initial share capital estimated at 1.27 million euros.

- The BET index, which measures the dynamics of the 20 most liquid stocks on the BVB, rose by 1.82% in August, to 20,557 points, while the BET-BK index, the benchmark for the performance of equity investment funds, appreciated by 2.86%, to 3,957 points.

- The BET-XT index, of the 30 most liquid stocks on our market, rose by 2.6%, to 1,760 points, and the BET-NG index, of energy and utility companies, by 3.3%, to 1,501 points.

- Transgaz shares rose by 14.3% last month, marking a new historical price record.

- OMV Petrom shares rose by 7.8%, despite reporting a decline in profitability in the second quarter.

- Shares of energy producer and supplier Hidroelectrica fell 1.6%, as the company reported a decline in its second-quarter profitability.

- Antibiotice shares fell 8.2%, as the Iasi-based drugmaker also reported a 28% drop in its second-quarter profit.

- The BET-FI index, of former SIFs plus Fondul Proprietatea, rose 11.64% last month to 71,222 points, at the time its highest level in 17 and a half years, mainly driven by strong gains in shares of Evergent Investments and Infinity Capital Investments.