Economy

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange posted weekly declines amid political uncertainty ahead of the Israeli elections, while foreign investors led net purchases and the shekel strengthened.

Israeli tycoon Rami Ungar controls a multi-billion dollar empire spanning automotive imports, global shipping through Ray Shipping, and real estate investments like Vitania.

Robert Hall and Michael Woodford won the Nobel Prize in Economics for pioneering research on the microfoundations of macroeconomic stabilization and market expectations.

Financial and insurance stocks on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange are sliding toward correction territory amid rising bond yields, security concerns, and political uncertainty ahead of the upcoming elections.

South Korea's Jeonbuk Bank became the first in the nation to offer corporate loans backed by Bitcoin. Enabled by new legal frameworks, the service provides liquidity to businesses without requiring asset sales.

The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that inheritances are not split equally between full and half-siblings. Applying the principle of representation, a full sibling receives 75% of an estate while a half-sibling receives 25%.

Tel Aviv's veteran Ze Sushi restaurant group has filed for a stay of proceedings with 19 million shekels in debt, while its two locations and delivery services continue operating as usual.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opened the week with slight gains on Monday, led by Electra Real Estate surging 14.22%, while Gilat dropped 8.04%.

Average monthly wages for workers in their forties reach 20,700 NIS in 2026, though significant disparities persist across industries, gender lines, and median earnings.

The Avital brothers have signed an MOU to sell a 50% stake in their Tachanat Lechem and BREADCAFE chains to the Kamari Group at a 23 million NIS valuation.

BMW profits dropped nearly 45%, prompting a 1 billion euro restructuring plan targeting 8,000 voluntary departures with average severance packages of 125,000 euros.

Ayalon Insurance is exploring the acquisition of credit card company Cal following the collapse of its sale to Union-Harel, while simultaneously pursuing a deal for Altshuler Shaham.

Leader Capital Markets raised Teva's target price to $50 with a "Buy" rating following FDA approval for Weltruza, stronger financials, and an investment-grade credit rating recovery across major agencies.

Microsoft is implementing a global restructuring affecting its Copilot Studio group in Israel. While most employees will transition to new roles, some positions face layoffs.

The Israel Land Authority faces a severe leadership crisis as interim director Yehuda Eliyahu's term expires. Legal limits block extensions, threatening housing supply.

Weekly digital wallet usage in Israel surged to 47% in 2025 as cash usage dropped to 48%. The Bank of Israel warns that declining cash infrastructure could limit accessibility and raise costs.

Migdal Insurance is launching new savings policies with Goldman Sachs called 'Migdal Keshet LePerat'. The move aims to capture renewed Israeli demand for global asset diversification amid shifting market trends.

Doral Energy is investing up to NIS 1 billion to expand the Hadari Shan solar project in Emek HaMaayanot, adding agro-voltaic capacity across 1,700 dunams.

McDonald's Israel launches two new Chicken McNuggets sauces and a limited seven-sauce pack for 20 NIS. Meanwhile, the global chain invests 8.5 billion NIS in AI modernization.

FLONCI released a comprehensive 2026 pricing guide for influencer marketing in Israel, introducing the Fully Loaded Influencer Cost (FLIC) framework and emphasizing value over follower counts.

Israeli business leaders discussed navigating global markets and countering negative sentiment at a recent Calcalist panel. Despite geopolitical challenges, CEOs emphasized that product quality, resilience, and strict adherence to delivery schedules keep international clients secure.

Serial entrepreneur Iris Shoor discussed her unconventional tech career, her decision to sell her startup to LinkedIn in 2021, and her transition to children's literature at a Globes conference in Tel Aviv.

Greece is raising property acquisition taxes for non-EU investors from 3% to 15%, significantly impacting Israeli buyers seeking real estate in Athens and beyond. The new rules take effect in July 2027.

Israeli human capital firm Pilat is planning a reverse takeover on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange in 2027, aiming to raise 6 million Canadian dollars at a 42 million valuation.

Financial experts at the Globes Next Gen Investors Conference analyzed market trends, artificial intelligence investments, and asset allocation between Wall Street and Tel Aviv.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, relies on search ads and cloud growth while expanding AI investments. The stock trades under GOOGL and GOOG with a quarterly dividend.

AMD reported strong Q2 2026 results with earnings of $1.66 per share, yet its stock dropped 8% amid high AI expectations and shifting data center metrics.

Microsoft reports strong Q4 2026 results as Azure annual sales surpass 100 billion dollars, driven by cloud expansion and AI integration through Copilot.

Apple reported Q3 2026 results exceeding expectations, yet its stock dropped $300 billion in market value following a cautious outlook driven by component shortages.

American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the Nobel Prize in Economics for pioneering microfoundations in stabilization policy, transforming global central banking.

Isracard Chair Tamar Yassur discussed corporate turbulence, ownership shifts under Delek Group, the fierce battle for El Al's loyalty club, and the ongoing push for female leadership at a recent Globes conference.

The Capital Market Authority published the 2025 Service Index for insurance and pension firms. Direct Insurance, Agricultural Insurance, and Ayalon led various sectors, while Migdal and Harel lagged. Analysts note that delayed publication limits the index's immediate relevance.

Aliyah Capital has filed a 9.5 million shekel lawsuit against former Maccabi Netanya owner Eyal Segal over alleged breaches of debt-coverage agreements following a May 2025 club acquisition.

A Nazareth court issued asset freezes against Israeli arms brokers Syn-RG-Ai following a lawsuit by Emtan over unpaid weapon shipments to the Congo. Syn-RG-Ai denies the claims, citing defective products and a broader commercial dispute.

Seldan Real Estate has filed a public prospectus for its debut bond offering on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, seeking to raise up to 285 million NIS to fund expansion.

NBA star Deni Avdija expands his TURBO protein brand in Israel with a new high-protein strawberry ice cream flavor, launching exclusively via Wolt before retail rollout.

Globes publisher Alona Bar On announced at the "Next Gen Female Investors" conference in Tel Aviv that women's global wealth and financial confidence are surging toward 2030 projections.

Torpaz CEO Keren Cohen Khazon spoke at the Globes conference about building a global flavor and fragrance giant with 28 international acquisitions, emphasizing that people remain the ultimate asset.

The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that travel agencies cannot deduct processing fees from refunds when airlines cancel flights. The landmark decision ensures full statutory refunds for travelers.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry issued an urgent recall for TREQA 20W iPhone chargers due to severe fire, short-circuit, and electrocution hazards found in laboratory tests.