Economy

Coffee giant Starbucks announced plans to close about 250 North American branches as part of a $300 million restructuring plan led by CEO Brian Niccol to stabilize profitability.

Ahead of Sukkot, Sukkah prices in Israel range widely from 680 NIS to 1,800 NIS. A market overview highlights deals, frame qualities, and essential consumer tips for holiday shoppers.

Tomer Mezon faces severe financial restatements wiping out its 2025 net profit following inventory inflation findings. Founder Doron Kimlav is being removed as chairman while trading remains suspended.

Zim workers' committee chairman Oren Caspi urged Israeli ministers to block the $4.2 billion sale of Zim to Hapag-Lloyd, citing severe risks to national security, operational continuity, and the company's independence.

Discount Capital is selling its stake in non-bank lender Melaran to controlling shareholder Moand Rian for 27 million NIS, taking a 6 million NIS loss.

Shufersal is offering premium Angus beef imports from South America for 99 NIS per kilogram ahead of Sukkot. The holiday promotion is valid across all retail channels until Friday.

Micron Technology stock has surged over 560% amid booming AI demand for memory chips. Despite a massive market cap of $1.2 trillion, analysts highlight its low forward P/E multiple of 7, pointing to major upcoming catalysts and surging server demand.

Netanya Magistrate's Court sentenced insurance agent Daniel Meir to 12 months in prison and a 12,000 NIS fine for omitting over 1.14 million NIS in transactions from VAT reports.

A massive crypto cyberattack exploited compromised authorization keys to mint and drain billions of AI-linked tokens, causing severe market volatility and highlighting critical security gaps.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange indices plunged amid sharp Wall Street declines and a historic surge in US bond yields to levels unseen since 2008. Bitcoin dropped below $83,000.

Strauss Tami 4 faces a wave of customer complaints over long waiting times for technicians, poor service, and billing issues despite monthly maintenance payments.

An accountant injured in a 2019 elevator fall in Netivot secured a 290,000 NIS settlement. Despite pre-existing conditions, an expert confirmed the accident worsened his health.

Super-Pharm Online now offers the iPhone 18 Pro Max for 5,549 NIS as major Israeli retail chains engage in a competitive price war over Apple's latest flagship devices.

Global debt crossed $365 trillion after rising $10 trillion in the first half of the year, driven by soaring borrowing costs and large government deficits across major economies, according to the Institute of International Finance.

A new collaboration between US giant iHerb and influencer Maayan Adam's Mami club led to a 32% surge in Israeli online orders, highlighting the growing economic clout of social media marketing.

WeCheck data shows average Israeli rents dropped 0.8% in August to 5,063 NIS, yet remain 3.7% higher year-on-year, with Jerusalem surging 7.4% and Tel Aviv averaging 6,905 NIS.

Israeli fashion brand De Rococo achieved a record 1.5 million shekels in sales over three pop-up days, drawing massive crowds and prompting an extension.

Lumenis CEO Tzipi Ozer-Armon is locked in a tax dispute with the Israel Tax Authority over a 1 million NIS purchase tax gap for two Tel Aviv apartments bought for 22.5 million NIS.

A first derivative lawsuit targets Discount Bank over the collapsed sale of CAL, as shareholders demand document disclosure following erroneous data submitted to the Competition Authority.

Delek Israel and Eventim have signed an agreement transferring full ownership of the Zappa club chain to Delek in a two-phase deal worth 29 million NIS, resolving a bitter legal dispute.

Israel Securities Authority Director General Oded Schfirer announced his resignation after 25 years at the agency, including seven years in the top administrative role.

Despite high living costs, Israel's mortgage default rate dropped to 0.6% in August 2025, with overdue payments falling to ₪4.102 billion as refinancing hit record highs.

VR Capital Group, holding a 17.5% stake in Maccabi Tel Aviv, filed a $2.55 million lawsuit against ENDVR MTA and Guy Harel, alleging breach of contract and negligence over share transfers.

Effi Capital has sold a residential land plot in Ra'anana for NIS 194.2 million to Shmuel Baruch Investments, generating a modest pre-tax profit of NIS 4 million while significantly reducing corporate leverage.

FIMI investment fund, led by Ishay Davidi, acquired a 55% controlling stake in MMD SMART for $55 million. The global cloud communications firm generates about NIS 500 million annually.

A new economic study reveals that male managers tend to hire more women and increase their wages after having a daughter, without harming overall business productivity.

Supervisor of Banks Daniel Hahiashvili called for a revision of outdated banking wage caps to prevent talent drain, while affirming the banking sector's resilience against potential housing market corrections.

A valid will may not suffice to protect family property from a common-law partner's claims. Israeli courts increasingly recognize proprietary rights in pre-owned assets through cohabitation, prompting experts to advise early property agreements.

NewMed Energy has partnered with GeoIntelX to integrate AI-powered geospatial analytics, accelerating natural gas exploration and subsurface data processing.

The Israel Land Authority approved an exemption from construction extension fees for combat reservists in 2026, saving soldiers tens of thousands of shekels for delays caused by military service.

The NIS 4 billion deal to sell credit card company CAL has collapsed due to regulatory hurdles, pushing Discount Bank to reopen talks with tycoon Moti Ben-Moshe.

The Land Enforcement Administration launched a nationwide campaign in Haredi neighborhoods to prevent illegal Sukkot balcony construction, targeting hazardous structures in Bnei Brak.

The Nikkei index rose 1.3% following a five-day holiday, driven by surges in semiconductor stocks like Ibiden and Socionext, while global markets await the crucial White House summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Shikun & Binui CEO Amit Birman discusses the strategic sale of its energy arm for 4.45 billion NIS, the company's shift to contracting, and its financial turnaround.

Entrepreneur Eti Kubo, wife of high-tech investor Oded Kubo, builds a successful fashion and jewelry empire with brands Coto and Coconut Love, generating hundreds of thousands in monthly turnover.

Eran Zahavi and Ben Zini are competing in Israel's booming padel market with opposing strategies. While Zini invests 3 million shekels in a compact Glilot complex, Zahavi commits 12 million shekels to a Ra'anana project and national league.

The Israel Land Authority announces new tenders for nearly 600 housing units in Tel Aviv's Ramat HaHayal, amid a broader decline in multi-family land marketing and high property prices.

US bond yields are testing new highs, prompting analysts to debate whether a 6% yield on 10-year Treasuries is becoming the new normal for global financial markets.

Real estate investors in Israel's periphery, particularly Dimona and Beersheba, face steep losses on older apartments lacking protected rooms amid shifting market conditions.

Israeli real estate and legal experts clarify the balance between religious freedom during Sukkot and property laws, addressing common neighbor disputes over shared courtyards, blocked pathways, and post-holiday removals.