Economy

The Paz Group finished the second quarter with a net profit of 158 million shekels, a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. The company also announced a dividend distribution of 130 million shekels.

Following the announcement of Oren Dobronsky's placement on the Likud list, many warned that he would be liable for a huge sum. What is the reason for this, and who else is exposed to this payment? Globes' "Whistle" presents: The monitor explains concepts.

Following the attack on UAE oil tankers and the deadlock in talks between Washington and Tehran, there has been a sharp drop in cargo ship traffic in the strategic strait. Tracking data indicates a significant decline in the number of ships passing through the critical trade route, through which about a fifth of the world's oil and gas traffic passes.

Sharp recovery and expansion in tourism activity: Max moved from a loss to a net profit of 80 million shekels in the second quarter. The credit card company's revenues climbed to 621 million shekels, and the consumer credit portfolio grew by 13.7%. CEO Sagit Dotan stated that the SKYMAX aviation card has crossed the 100,000 customer threshold.

Insurance company Migdal presented a 5% growth in core profit, but the interest rate cut eroded the total profit, which stood at approximately 575 million shekels at the end of the quarter. The long-term savings sector continued to enjoy growth.

The largest investment house in Israel concluded a record quarter with a net profit for shareholders of 142 million shekels and net inflows of more than 14 billion shekels. The stock has risen by 42.5% in the last year - but where is all this money coming from, and what does it mean for your pension savings?

Mimun Yashir's profits jumped more than 4-fold in the quarter, driven by strong performance in mortgage and auto finance. Competitor Nawi, holding about 10% of the shares, is reporting a paper profit of approximately 40 million shekels.

Despite the ongoing impact of the Iron Swords war, the fuel and retail giant has delivered strong second-quarter 2026 results, advancing toward the strategic goals set by CEO Nir Stern.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank concluded the second quarter of 2026 with a net profit of 1.43 billion shekels, a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year. The return on equity stood at 16%.

Arad Group reports record half-year results with revenue of nearly $223 million, as strong local demand and US customs refunds boosted the company's bottom line.

Japan's economy expanded by 1.1% in the second quarter, missing the 2% growth forecast. The slowdown was driven by weak private consumption, which declined for the first time in eight quarters.

Trading in Tel Aviv will open against the backdrop of escalating security tensions in the north and south. Dual-listed stocks return with a mixed gap: Tower and Teva will provide support, Camtek and Nice will weigh down. Why are oil prices not soaring despite the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz? The AI effect: huge infrastructure spending is creating inflationary pressure in the US. And also: on...

Hilan Group reports strong second-quarter 2026 results with double-digit growth, announcing a significant dividend distribution alongside the completion of the Log-On acquisition.

Core profits broke a record, return on equity jumped above the target, and CSM from new business doubled - so why did the total profit barely rise? The quarter behind Migdal's big numbers.

The local reporting season is entering the final stretch, with Mizrahi Tefahot closing the bank cycle. Against a backdrop of moderate inflation, forecasts for the coming months are worrying, and all eyes are on Nvidia next week.

Kibbutz Yizre'el is seeking a 300 million shekel investment to rescue pool cleaning robot manufacturer Maytronics. The FIMI fund is currently in negotiations to acquire a controlling stake.

Julius Baer analysts report that the leveraged buyout (LBO) sector is experiencing a significant surge, with 2026 potentially reaching unprecedented levels driven by direct financing. Meanwhile, global oil inventories remain stable, leading experts to forecast a decline in oil prices.

Globes presents a first update on the state of global markets. This morning, there is cautious optimism at the start of the trading week against the backdrop of mixed futures on Wall Street and gains on Asian stock exchanges. Japan's growth data missed forecasts. Oil prices remain relatively stable despite uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz. The 'Hindenburg Omen' raises concerns about a market...

The long-term care insurance sector is set for a period of relative calm following Clalit's agreement with Ayalon. However, experts warn that this is a temporary fix that fails to address the industry's fundamental structural issues.

The unified investment account reform promoted by the Ministry of Finance is expected to include retail investors who trade securities independently. The implication: the possibility of tax deferral and even a full exemption from capital gains tax under certain conditions, subject to a deposit ceiling of 200,000 shekels.

The Capital Market Authority is working to eliminate temporary life insurance discounts, requiring companies to maintain initial terms throughout the policy's duration. The regulator warns that customers lured by low entry prices often become trapped due to age or health issues, eventually facing premium hikes of hundreds of percent.

Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Department and currently a candidate on the Yasar list, is showing great activity on the web. Between the lychee orchard in the Galilee and the toiletries department at the supermarket, he pulls out quite a few figures. Meridor is not always accurate, but at least he brings important economic issues to the discourse.

Despite negative returns in July following sell-offs in semiconductor stocks, the performance of local entities since the beginning of the year remains strong. Foreign currency exposure pushed Yelin Lapidot and Altshuler Shaham to the top in July. Clal and Harel are at the bottom. The forecast: "Volatility is high, and the ping-pong will continue."

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Stripe and the investment fund Advent offered $60.50 per share for PayPal in July, based on a valuation of $53 billion, but were rejected. The parties are now discussing a higher price, and a deal could turn Stripe into one of the world's largest payment giants.

The Israeli economy emerged from "Lion's Roar," the second Iran war, faster and stronger than it emerged from the first. GDP rose in the second quarter of 2026 by 3.6% compared to the previous quarter, or 15.4% in annual terms.

Leader Capital Markets estimates that inflation data and the strengthening of the shekel will allow for a significant policy move soon, despite a sharp drop in new apartment sales and an unusual decline in consumer confidence.

Four of Israel's five largest banks have filed an appeal with the Competition Tribunal, challenging the Competition Authority's decision to designate them as a concentration group. The banks argue that the regulator's intervention contradicts the Bank of Israel's position and could harm customers.

Following Ayalon Insurance's victory in the tender to operate the world's largest group long-term care policy, covering 2.7 million people, the company's management addressed the strategic importance of the deal.

July was a quiet month in the markets, with the Tel Aviv 35 index adding about 2% while US indices closed with slight declines. In the yield tables, this translated into tiny movements where fractions of a percent determined the leaders and laggards.

The recently published F13 forms for the second quarter of 2026 reveal the investment strategies of Wall Street's most influential figures. Key trends include massive bets on Alphabet and SpaceX, alongside a significant sell-off of chip manufacturer stocks.

Shares of Hachsharat HaYishuv Urban Renewal plummeted last week by 41% and jumped back by the same percentage. Now, the parent company is taking advantage of the sharp market volatility to increase its stake to 73.8%.

Mizrahi Tefahot will conclude the banking reporting season, followed by insurance companies and investment houses — the entities managing your savings and pensions. The hot stock market and interest rate cuts have boosted some stocks by tens of percent, though results across the sector remain mixed.

The struggle around the Strait of Hormuz continues and its end is not in sight. Defense stocks in Tel Aviv plummeted, while a reverse trend was recorded globally. The earnings season in the US is on its way to being the strongest in five years, and a wave of companies from various sectors will report this week in Tel Aviv. The Fed protocol will reveal how divided the central bank is regarding the...

A Chinese container ship has set sail for Europe via the North Pole. This move allows Beijing to bypass the Suez Canal and halve the journey time, following disruptions in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Clalit Health Services announced that the insurance company Ayalon will manage its group long-term care insurance policy, covering approximately 2.7 million people. The agreement is for three years with options for extension.

The investment house controlled by Eran Pasternak and Shai Shoham will attempt to leverage a two-fold revenue growth over the past year to issue its shares. Last year, the firm benefited from high profitability in its trust-based hedge fund activities.

The affair involving Meli and Liel Yahalomi and the Bank of Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of how quickly digital information can trigger financial risks. In an era of instant transactions, trust is a critical asset.

US President Donald Trump's executive order imposing tariffs on drones has caused Next Vision's stock to drop by 5.7%. However, experts question the severity of the impact, as the company is already planning to localize production in the US.

July was positive in the local market, but the strengthening of the shekel boosted foreign-oriented bodies and S&P 500 trackers. After difficult years, Altshuler Shaham and Yelin Lapidot had another good month, outperforming their competitors despite negative returns.

The Jewish billionaire and one of the most influential investors on Wall Street has made the most extensive change to his investment portfolio in years: six new stocks, a complete exit from Google, and an increase in Microsoft. What is behind the new bet, and why specifically on the companies the market fears the most?