Economy

Y.D. Barzani Group plans an IPO for its infrastructure arm, aiming to raise 1 billion shekels at a 2.8-3 billion shekel valuation, backed by surging revenues and a strong order backlog.

Max Stock wins the Ilan Gilon Award for national employer excellence, recognizing the integration of 118 workers with disabilities across its branches over five years.

An Israeli widower has filed a 309,000 shekel lawsuit against a crowdfunding company, accusing it of exploiting a fatal family fire to raise donations without authorization and withholding a 40 percent commission.

American giant Boomi has acquired Israeli startup Elementary Data for $43 million. This marks Boomi's second Israeli acquisition this year, expanding its enterprise data monitoring capabilities.

After eight years in Tzukim, the Ursula restaurant is up for sale for 350,000 NIS. Owners cite crushing regulations, remote location challenges, and war impacts as reasons to exit.

A comprehensive strategic report by Noga warns that Israel's electricity consumption must surge up to 2.7 times by 2050, driven by AI data centers, electric vehicles, and extreme climate heatwaves.

Adaltak O&M petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to appoint an arbitrator in a dispute over maintenance contracts for the stalled 3 billion shekel Durad power plant expansion, amid regulatory hurdles and shareholder infighting.

Former Calcalist editor Maayan Manela partners with PR firm Orenstein Choshen to launch ekoh, a new venture specializing in employer reputation management and strategic HR communications.

Baran acquires a 40% stake in Ashkelon desalination plant operator Adom from Veridis for 53.6 million shekels in a deal valuing the company at 134 million shekels.

Shufersal expands its coffee imports and product lines with 18 brands to challenge Strauss's market dominance, amid shifting raw material costs and retail competition.

Palephone's acquisition of WeCom for 265 million NIS is nearing completion, boosting its market share to 26.5%. Regulatory hurdles involving WeCom's network sharing agreement with Cellcom remain a key challenge.

Hadassah Medical Center opened a new facility in Limassol, Cyprus, without notifying Israeli regulators at the Ministries of Health and Finance, raising concerns amid ongoing state financial support.

Israeli biotech firm IdentifAI Genetics raised $7 million in a Sydney IPO, with shares surging 86% to a $54 million market cap as the company expands early prenatal testing.

Muay Thai fighter Ahavat HaShem Gordon and Yonatan Levy launched the online jewelry brand LOVE OF GOD with a 1.6 million NIS investment, offering necklaces ranging from 550 NIS to 15,400 NIS.

TV host Eliraz Sade revealed he lost millions and sold apartments after a failed partnership in the Haklai vegetable chain, calling the ordeal a harsh business lesson.

Private jets have turned into lucrative investment assets as manufacturing delays push delivery dates to 2030, allowing buyers to flip aircraft for millions in profit.

Israel Aerospace Industries faces a six-week deadline to resolve regulatory secrecy issues ahead of its planned 100 billion shekel IPO, or risk losing its reporting status.

Infrastructure firm Baran announced that CEO Itzik Frank is stepping down after five years. During his tenure, the company's market capitalization doubled to 470 million shekels.

The Humongous burger chain is opening its first Tel Aviv branch at Atidim Park in March 2027, with an investment of over 6 million NIS, covering 360 square meters.

Microsoft cancels a major data center deal with AI infrastructure provider Nscale in the UK due to power grid delays stretching into the 2030s, impacting Nscale's planned US IPO.

The Israel Diamond Exchange unveils a new logo and brand identity for the first time in 50 years, featuring a geometric diamond replacing its iconic three towers.

Bank Leumi CEO Hanan Friedman defended checking account interest policies on X, citing liquidity constraints, while data shows minimal payouts and active class-action lawsuits.

Hundreds of ZIM employees and Histadrut members are set to protest in Tel Aviv against the company's multi-billion-dollar acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI, citing job security and national strategic risks.

Dan Public Transportation has agreed to acquire bus operator Tnufa for 150 million NIS, expanding its fleet to 3,500 buses. However, the deal faces internal opposition from minority stakeholders.

Elbit Systems will hold its annual retreat for 22,500 employees in Eilat instead of abroad, boosting local tourism and hosting wounded IDF soldiers and bereaved families.

Logistics firm Teleport Delivery has petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to block a senior executive from working at Israel Post, citing non-compete violations and shared company stakes.

The Competition Authority approved the acquisition of a 25.4% stake in YBOX by Gefen Magurim and Tamir Cohen for 76 million shekels, marking a major real estate milestone.

Bumble has agreed to a $1.3 billion acquisition by Ithaca Holdings, causing its stock to surge over 130% despite recent drops in paying users and revenues.

The state and Haifa Port owners Adani-Gadot are nearing a billion-shekel deal to escrow development funds in exchange for easing restrictions on cash withdrawals.

At 85, Israeli tycoon Alfred Akirov is considering taking Alrov private due to low stock liquidity, a move that could also help him bypass regulations to gain control of Clal Insurance.

Acre's historic Old City market is facing a severe economic crisis due to cumulative blows from the pandemic, past unrest, and the ongoing war, prompting merchants to demand urgent municipal assistance.

Elon Musk leads the global billionaire ranking with $924.8 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Mark Zuckerberg amid surging tech and AI markets.

Israel's wealthiest list reveals top billionaires led by Eyal Ofer with $35.3 billion, Miriam Adelson, Idan Ofer, the Bukhman brothers, and the Federman family.

Senior management departures hit Israeli software firm Monday.com amid an AI-focused restructuring and 20% workforce reduction, despite a 22% revenue rise in Q2 2026.

SoftBank is reportedly considering an $18 billion acquisition of US security giant Allied Universal. The potential deal aims to bolster Masayoshi Son's AI and robotics strategy.

American firm Proofpoint has agreed to acquire cybersecurity company Varonis for 6.3 billion dollars in cash, leading to its delisting from Nasdaq.

UBS is weighing strategic options including a headquarters relocation or potential merger if Switzerland enacts stringent new banking regulations stemming from the collapse of Credit Suisse.

Bazan Group faces a 2.5 million shekel class action lawsuit over high benzene emissions recorded in Haifa Bay during October 2026 maintenance work.

Fast-food giant KFC is replacing PepsiCo with Coca-Cola as its U.S. beverage supplier after 40 years, aiming to revitalize sales and attract customers back from competitors.

Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is stepping down amid slowing growth and declining engagement, to be replaced by former Disney executive Peter Rice.