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Israel’s stock market closed higher on Sunday, with the TA 35 index surging 0.95% to reach a new all-time high. Gains in the insurance, real estate, and technology sectors propelled the market, reflecting investor confidence amid a broader global economic slowdown.
Top Performers Lead the Surge
Phoenix Holdings Ltd. emerged as the best performer of the session, jumping 4.31% to hit 5,060.00 points, its highest level in five years. The company’s performance was bolstered by strong quarterly earnings and robust demand in the insurance sector.
Airport City Ltd. also posted impressive gains, climbing 4.03% to 6,141.00 points, while Nova soared 4.01% to 70,090.00 points in late trading, reflecting the resilience of Israel’s technology sector.
In contrast, Camtek Ltd. and Tower Semiconductor Ltd. were among the worst performers, shedding 2.39% and 2.20%, respectively. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. also declined, losing 1.93% to close at 6,247.00 points, reflecting challenges in the pharmaceutical industry.
Commodities and Currency Markets
While Israeli stocks gained, commodities saw mixed results. Crude oil prices fell, with January delivery down 1.61% to $67.20 a barrel. Brent oil for February delivery also dropped 1.35% to $71.12 a barrel. Gold futures, however, climbed 0.42% to $2,659.60 per troy ounce, reflecting investor caution amid global market volatility.
Currency markets painted a similar picture. The Israeli shekel strengthened against the U.S. dollar and euro, with USD/ILS down 0.56% to 3.57 and EUR/ILS falling 0.53% to 3.78. The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.32% to 105.73, indicating continued dollar strength against a basket of major currencies.
