Calcalist

The Nasdaq stock exchange intends to extend trading hours in the US to nearly 23 hours, five days a week. The move is designed to meet the growing global demand for US stocks.

Three years after an unsuccessful attempt to take control of Petrochemicals, businessman Michael Bobrov sold his 18% stake in the company for 107 million shekels. The transaction was executed at a discount of over 20% to the market price.

Dalia Energy has secured approval from the Electricity Authority for the financial closing of the Eshkol Avshal project in Ashdod. Bank Hapoalim will serve as the senior debt arranger for the 5.2 billion shekel project.

Employment data from the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Employment Service indicate that the country has returned to a 'war routine.' This hinders growth and the entry of young people into the labor market, causing long-term economic damage.

After a missile strike damaged a Tel Aviv building, residents faced bureaucratic chaos. Lawyers successfully resolved the conflict between renovation compensation and the TAMA 38/2 demolition plans.

G City CEO Chaim Katzman plans to spin off assets into a new subsidiary, 'Naga Commercial Properties,' distributing shares to existing investors. While intended to reduce debt, market analysts warn of significant risks and high leverage.

The Sky investment fund is exploring options to exit its stake in Icon Group, the parent company of the iDigital chain. Management has held meetings with potential buyers, valuing the company at over 500 million shekels.

The Electricity Authority's move to halt new data center grid connections due to massive energy demand has sparked a public clash with the National Economic Council in the Prime Minister's Office.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank closed the second quarter of 2026 with a 1.7% decrease in net profit to 1.43 billion shekels. Moderating inflation and lower interest rates have curbed profit growth, while the bank's mortgage portfolio faces mounting risks.

As AI company valuations soar, concerns over environmental impact and lack of job creation have prompted US states to impose new taxes and construction bans on data centers.

CBS data reveals that Israel's GDP growth, excluding production abroad, is only 1%. Over 90% of this offshore production is linked to Nvidia's operations.

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich has appointed Benny Dreyfus, who recently resigned as CEO of Mifal HaPais, as the new chairman of the state-owned EAPC. He is set to assume the role in September.

Government financing costs in several developed economies have hit their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. Investors fear that the Middle East crisis will sustain high inflation.

Shikun & Binui Energy concluded the second quarter of 2026 with a 40% jump in revenue to 94 million shekels. Despite increasing gross profitability to 43%, a surge in financing expenses led to an 11% increase in net loss, reaching 79.9 million shekels.

Dalia Energy's Eshkol Avshal power plant project is nearing financial closing. Financing parties have confirmed that the conditions precedent for the process have been met.

A dispute between French-Jewish businessman Richard Tawil and singer Alexander Kogan has led to a 950,000 shekel lawsuit. The case centers on a villa lease in Herzliya with a monthly rent of $45,000.

Israel's unemployment rate rose to 3.3% in July, with the broad rate reaching 4.4%. The increase is largely attributed to seasonal layoffs of education personnel during the summer break.

Econergy's electricity sales revenues surged, but a spike in financing expenses led to a net loss of 28.1 million euros. Delays in grid connections forced the company to lower its year-end forecast.

Maytronics has officially confirmed reports regarding negotiations to raise 300 million shekels in capital and a potential sale of control to the FIMI fund. The move aims to reduce the company's 600 million shekel debt and restructure its production operations.

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.

Cybersecurity firm PenTera announced a new round of layoffs affecting 60 employees. This follows a previous reduction of 40 staff members in April, bringing the total headcount reduction to 20%.

The Paz Group has suspended the option to purchase Bitcoin via the Yellow app in partnership with Bits of Gold. The move follows a cyber incident involving software provider Meta Base.

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%.

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.

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.

Tzomet Sfarim CEO Avi Shomer has announced a new screening policy for books, prioritizing those not funded by their authors. This move has sparked a debate regarding literary quality and transparency in the publishing industry.

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.

Israel is in urgent need of an additional airport as Ben Gurion Airport reaches its capacity. Despite 17 years of planning, the government remains undecided on the location, funding model, and operator for the facility.

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.

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.

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 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.

The wave of layoffs in high-tech creates uncertainty, but history shows that market shocks foster the growth of major companies. Experienced professionals are now leveraging AI to build leaner, more efficient startups.

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.

The number of job vacancies rose by 1.5% from 146.8 thousand in June to 148 thousand in July. This trend continues following Operation Lion's Roar, despite the fluctuations observed during the war.

The Central Bureau of Statistics released national accounts data for Q2 2026, showing a 15.4% annual GDP growth as the economy rebounded from the impact of Operation 'Lion's Roar'.

Yuvalim has acquired a 4-dunam plot in Herzliya through a joint ownership dissolution process. The final land valuation reached 200 million shekels.

Mass youth protests in New Delhi have highlighted the severe labor market crisis in India. With youth unemployment at 16%, university graduates are struggling to find work that matches their educational qualifications.

The Capital Market Authority is intervening for the first time to limit institutional involvement in public company management. The regulator is demanding clarifications from the Mor investment house regarding its actions in Orion.