Economy

Bezeq has upgraded its 2026 net profit and EBITDA forecasts due to improved business performance. The company now expects net profit to reach between 1.15 and 1.2 billion shekels.

Kenneth Cole Productions will deepen its partnership with the Mashbir Group and invest up to $5 million in Kenneth Cole Design and Development. As part of the deal, it will be allocated 20% of the company's shares, which will continue to expand the brand's operations in Europe.

YouTube is updating its subscription rates in Israel. Monthly fees will increase by 20% to 25% depending on the selected plan.

Ray Shipping has ordered about 10 Chinese-made ships with a capacity of over 8,500 vehicles each. Xiaomi is expected to start exporting its cars to Europe in 2027, and Horizon Motors is launching Chinese FAW trucks in Israel. This week in the automotive industry.

The construction products company Inrom concluded the second quarter of 2026 with a net profit of 43 million shekels, a 12.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Quarterly revenues rose by 19% to 384 million shekels.

Christine Hunsicker, founder of the fashion tech firm CaaStle, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a $300 million fraud. The court rejected her defense citing a head injury.

Key economic stories of the week: Rami Levy invests 225 million shekels in a new project, Max to compensate businesses, Victory's profits jump 150%, Moderna shares soar on Wall Street, plus Amos Luzon's deal, chaos at Ben Gurion Airport, and Itay Levi's real estate move.

Inrom Group concluded the second quarter of 2026 with double-digit growth in sales and net profit. Following these strong results, the company announced a dividend distribution of 21.5 million shekels scheduled for September.

The company "Rani Zim Shopping Centers" concludes the first half of 2026 with an increase in NOI and FFO, alongside the expansion of operations into the fields of energy, logistics, and data centers.

During the demolition of an unauthorized structure in East Jerusalem, the ceiling of an additional floor was damaged, which was not included in the order, even though it was also illegal. The court ruled that the state was negligent.

Yesterday, the stock exchange closed with a mixed trend: the TA-35 index fell by 0.3%, while the TA-90 index advanced by 0.7%. Arbitrage gaps in dual-listed stocks are expected to weigh on the TA-35 index by about 0.41% at the opening. The dollar exchange rate stands at around 3 shekels, and oil prices are recording slight declines.

After decades as a staple of the local fashion scene, the Razili chain is ending its physical retail operations to transition to an online-only model. The company's final store, located in the Ramat Aviv Mall, is set to close on August 25, 2026.

The flight schedule at Ben Gurion Airport continues to present an optimistic picture for Israeli citizens. Amid the peak summer season, several airlines have resumed flights to Israel over the past month, with more expected to return in the coming weeks.

The Nikkei index is down 0.4%, the Kospi is up 0.8%, and the Hang Seng is climbing 0.7%. Japan's inflation rate reached 1.9% in July amid rising energy costs.

The public is torn between a spacious apartment with a MAMAD on the periphery and a small apartment in the big city. How much does a small apartment in a major city cost, and transactions in Holon and Bat Yam show that it is possible to purchase apartments without a MAMAD for less than 2 million shekels.

A century ago, Henry Ford established the five-day work week. Today, technology and AI are dismantling these structures, turning work into a 24/7 process where AI agents operate under human oversight.

Aviation clubs, promising discounted flight tickets, have become a major profit engine in the Israeli credit card market, with membership jumping to nearly 800,000. Fly Card, FlyAll, and SkyMAX cardholders spend twice as much as those with regular cards, driven by the desire to earn bonuses on their spending, especially abroad.

Data from maritime monitoring firm Kpler indicates a 50% drop in cargo ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The figures exclude very large crude carriers (VLCC) and LNG tankers. A significant decline in vessel traffic was also recorded in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

A new coin called Artificial Inu has jumped by tens of percent within a day, sparking interest among meme coin enthusiasts. But behind the name and the sharp rise lies a complex system of contracts, a project that is not yet verified, and big questions about reliability.

Diplomat, a major importer of consumer brands, has released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026. Net profit fell to 23 million shekels, marking a significant decline compared to the same period last year.

Ayalon Insurance reports that total profit in the second quarter amounted to approximately 135.9 million shekels, and profit in the first half increased by 8.2% to 217.4 million shekels. The company's board of directors announced a dividend distribution of 50 million shekels.

Real estate appraisers and the CBS report price growth, while the Ministry of Finance warns of a collapse among contractors. Which developers are truly at risk? | Weekly real estate news

The main indices closed with sharp declines after investors returned to focus on high financing costs and the huge US deficit, despite temporary calming attempts by the Treasury Secretary.

After nearly a decade, the chairman of the Tata Group has announced he will step down amid power struggles at the top. The battle over his successor comes as the group faces difficulties at Air India and turmoil in its technology business. The companies within the Indian business empire are worth a combined total of approximately $320 billion.

Super-Pharm, the largest pharmacy chain in Israel, is launching a massive discount campaign on dozens of popular cosmetics and skincare brands, including the line by Noa Kirel. The promotion ends on August 28.

Israel Airports Authority (IAA) Chairman, Major General (res.) Iftach Ron-Tal, addressed the chaos at Ben Gurion Airport caused by a workers' strike. He labeled the move as "bullying" and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

The rating agency Maalot has upgraded the bond rating of Shikun & Binui to A+. This decision comes ahead of a 350 million shekel bond series expansion as part of the company's debt reduction strategy.

The Israel Land Authority has approved the marketing plan for Complex C in Jerusalem's entrance district. The project features a 40-story tower, an 8-story building, office, commercial, and hotel spaces, along with approximately 230 housing units.

A volatile trading day in Tel Aviv closed with a mixed trend, as alongside impressive gains in the energy sector, one of the most well-known food companies in Israel recorded a particularly sharp decline that surprised investors.

Electra Consumer Products concluded the second quarter of 2026 with revenues of approximately 1.8 billion shekels, a 38.5% jump in operating profit, and a net profit of 30 million shekels. The Carrefour chain, managed by Global Retail, continues to drive group performance, while the sports sector has returned to profitability.

The strike that led today (Thursday) to widespread disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport caused damage to the economy estimated at this stage at 25 to 30 million shekels. This is a preliminary estimate that includes the direct and indirect costs of the shutdown of operations.

Phoenix becomes the third largest entity in the provident fund industry. Clal Insurance has its strongest month ever. Altshuler Shaham and Yelin Lapidot continue to lose money at a high rate.

The sale of Shikun & Binui Energy to the Generation fund for 4.45 billion shekels has driven a 45% jump in net profit and led to an upgrade of the company's bond rating to A+.

Fuse manufacturer Arit Industries is recording a sharp decline of nearly 20% today, Thursday, following its latest financial report, making it the worst performer in the TA-125 index. This drop marks a total plunge of over 75% from its January peak, when the company reached an inflated market valuation of 7 billion shekels following the post-October 7 market frenzy.

Michpal Technologies is acquiring 70% of Mekano for approximately 66 million shekels, in a deal that values the company at about 100 million shekels. The acquisition includes a mechanism for contingent consideration and options to purchase the remaining holdings in the future.

A dramatic move by the US Treasury sent the dollar down and caused precious metals to jump by more than 4% in a day. Analysts are now estimating where the price will reach in the coming months.

Bitcoin has surpassed the $72,000 threshold following US President Donald Trump's call for Congress to pass supportive crypto legislation, while another leading currency records a nearly 20% daily surge.

The retail giant reported a successful second quarter with a 24% jump in US online sales and total revenue of $187.9 billion. The company's CEO noted that customers choose Walmart for its combination of price, speed, and convenience.

The Fireman Hospitality group, operator of iconic Manhattan restaurants, has filed for bankruptcy protection. This marks the largest crisis in New York City's restaurant industry since 2020.

Bituach Yashir concluded the second quarter with a 38% increase in insurance service profits, despite a 6% decline in revenues. The improved profitability is attributed to portfolio optimization and operational efficiency.