Economy

Assaf Rappaport on an Israeli buying spree, and Oren Dobronsky pays a high price
Bank of Jerusalem shares rise against the backdrop of a mother and daughter's absence in Vienna, Liora Ofer celebrates a new move that will bring in billions, and SanDisk in a stock buyback. These were the news of the week on ice.

World's Richest People Ranking: Bezos is stable, and who jumped by $143 billion?
The ranking of the world's richest people reveals upheavals among the billionaires as one of them records a crazy jump in just one week, while his major rivals experience huge losses of billions.

Drama at Forbes: Editor-in-chief fired after receiving a $6 million gift
Randall Lane, who worked at the magazine for about 16 years, was removed from his position following the discovery of a massive payment he received from the founder of a company that partners with the magazine's rankings. Lane regrets: "I made a mistake, I should have reported it."

An end to 'discounts' in life insurance? The new directive that changes the rules
A draft circular published by the Capital Markets, Insurance and Savings Authority is intended to put an end to discounts of tens of percent that insurance companies grant to customers for a limited period of several years, in order to encourage enrollment. "It may influence his judgment at the time of enrollment and bias him away from making an informed decision," they write at the Authority.

Financial Nihilism: When Sports Betting Replaces the Gen Z Investment Portfolio
The massive success of Polymarket is just a showcase for a much broader phenomenon among Gen Z. A new survey shows that a quarter of young people perceive sports betting as part of their economic future planning. Commentators warn of "financial nihilism": a sense of despair and economic pessimism that pushes for taking extreme risks with money. Experts clarify: investing is a positive-sum game...

Nofar Energy acquires Highlight from Gabi Buskila for 200 million shekels
Nofar Energy, controlled by Ofer Yanai, has signed an agreement to acquire the energy company Highlight from real estate developer Gabi Buskila for 200 million shekels. The deal covers 92.5% of the company's shares.

S&P 500 Index vs. Deposit: What happens to 100,000 shekels in a decade?
An average historical return of 10.3% versus a 3% interest rate creates a huge gap, but a whole decade in history ended in the negative.

Bank of Israel: Financial support program for 4,500 IDF soldiers
The Bank of Israel has launched a financial support program for 4,500 IDF soldiers facing economic hardship. The initiative is backed by a 7.2 million shekel budget.

The couples who bought two apartments for less than 1.2 million shekels
Those who cannot afford an apartment in the center are buying on the periphery. How much does an apartment without a protected space (MAMAD) cost, and how were two apartments in Tel Aviv purchased at such surprising prices? Real estate deals of the week.
The next alibi for the cost of living is here: Is 'heatflation' coming to Israel?
Heatwaves and drought in Europe are raising concerns about food prices, but the strengthening shekel and falling raw material costs suggest otherwise. Before climate becomes an excuse for another price hike, it is worth examining what actually impacts the Israeli consumer basket.

Slight gains for the shekel ahead of inflation data release in Israel; dollar below 2.96 shekels
The shekel is strengthening this Friday morning as investors digest US inflation data and await Israel's upcoming figures. The dollar is trading at 2.957 shekels.

Famous restaurant in financial collapse: controversial debts, massive lawsuits
The "Luna Rosa" restaurant in Texas has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid lawsuits and controversial debts. Despite the financial turmoil, the management clarifies: the branch will continue to operate as usual during the reorganization process.

Labor market in July 2026: rise in job seekers due to seasonal factors
A new employment report reveals that the number of job seekers reached 173.5 thousand, driven by seasonal layoffs in the education sector. Meanwhile, there is an increase in the share of academics and those from high socio-economic clusters.

Swiss bank warns: Europe is losing ground to the US and China due to a strategic mistake
A dramatic analysis by Lombard Odier reveals how vast sums of public savings are flowing out of the continent, and points out the urgent steps that must be taken by 2030.

Surprise at Rami Levy: Customer receives 2,000 shekel parking fine
A regular customer of the Rami Levy branch in Netanya was shocked to receive a legal demand for nearly 2,000 shekels in retroactive parking fees, despite having met the requirements for free parking.

Large-scale construction in Be'er Ya'akov, Kiryat Yam, and Haifa Bay
The Vatma'l (Committee for Planning and Construction of Priority Housing Complexes) has approved a massive urban renewal plan for the old center of Be'er Ya'akov; in Kiryat Yam, 180 apartments will be replaced by 826 apartments in buildings of up to 40 floors; and in Haifa Bay, planning is advancing for complexes with millions of square meters for employment and commerce and thousands of housing...

Five things to know ahead of the stock market opening
Trading in Tel Aviv will open this morning against the backdrop of forecasts for inflation to moderate to 1.4%. New records for the S&P 500 and Russell 2000. The dollar is correcting slightly against the shekel; oil is trading stably amid threats of a blockade on Iran. The US bond market is showing risk levels not seen since 2007. Bank of America raises the target price for a hot AI stock. Globes...

UBS investment expert: bonds remain a key income tool
While inflation in the USA continues to occupy global markets, UBS experts point to bonds as an asset class that can serve as both a source of income and a reliable portfolio hedging tool.

Yohananoff chain launches mega-sales until August 21
The retail chain is running a promotion from August 9-21, 2026, on a wide range of food, cleaning, and household products. Customers can enjoy significant discounts and special bundle deals.

Long-standing fashion chain closes all branches: drama after 25 years
The designer fashion chain Razili is saying goodbye to its physical stores and moving to online-only operations. The last branch in the Ramat Aviv Mall will close this week.

Ahead of the market opening: CPI in focus - here is what to expect
The S&P 500 set a new record as fears of an interest rate hike faded. Tel Aviv closed in the green led by earnings reports. Today: the Consumer Price Index, which will determine the interest rate direction. And in the background, the storm surrounding Bank Jerusalem. What do you need to know?

The Vested Dilemma: Sell Everything or Sell Slowly?
Raanan Cohen, a startup founder, urges employees and entrepreneurs to sell vested shares immediately upon maturity. He argues that waiting for "just a little more" is a dangerous illusion that often leads to significant financial loss.

The beauty giant visiting Israel and the house that is moving | Most viewed articles
Sephora starts selling in Israel, a historic house requiring half a million to relocate, a VAT payment revolution, market fluctuations for defense companies, and private kindergartens for high-tech employees — the most read articles of the week.

The move that eliminates your chance of winning an apartment at a discount
The positive news for reservists is the nightmare of those in need of housing who do not serve in the reserves. The state is distributing more land in Kibbutz HaOn, Yaakov Atrakchi explains in an interview what is about to happen in the real estate market and about the truly frightening figure of the wave of deal cancellations on the way | Real Estate News of the Week

Depositing a million shekels into a training fund and paying tax on it: why is it still worthwhile?
A training fund (Keren Hishtalmut) offers particularly advantageous tax benefits, but they are subject to an annual deposit ceiling of about 20.5 thousand shekels. However, it sometimes has hidden advantages that make depositing even larger sums particularly worthwhile. Retirement experts answer critical questions about retirement in a new column.

Massive Fraud Exposed: China Bypassed Billions in US Tariffs
The White House released a report accusing over 40 countries of helping China bypass US tariffs. Through a practice known as "transshipping," Beijing has evaded tens of billions of dollars in duties, causing significant harm to the American economy.
Seen a sale? Think again: it's time to calculate how much we spent, not how much we saved
Sales make us feel like we've saved, but often the sale price is higher than the price at competitors. The fight against the cost of living is not just about the price on the shelf - but also about how we make decisions and buy more than we planned.
The July index, to be published today, is a prelude to the escalation in inflation | Yehuda Sharoni
After his promises regarding the cost of living were shattered, Benjamin Netanyahu is enslaving the economy for the sake of invented security needs. The banks' reports for the second quarter prove that the system has reached the glass ceiling of profitability. And also: the index to be published today.

Franchising at Arcaffe, a fintech company and a future film: The new life of Shimon Gershon
16 years after retiring, the former star talks about the transition from the football pitch to the business world. Today he is a franchisee of two successful Arcaffe branches, was a partner in hotel businesses that he sold for a profit of about 11 million shekels, and recently founded the fintech company "Araviyot Yashir" ("Direct Guarantees") with a large investment: "When I left football I...

Tax benefits for border communities are not a favor
A family that chooses to build its home in a community near the border receives more than just an open view and lower rent. It also faces distance from medical services, sparse public transport, fewer education and leisure options, and a security threat that becomes part of the daily routine.

Towards a mega-deal? Silver Lake in talks to acquire software company Workday, which jumped 17.8%
Private equity firm Silver Lake is in talks to acquire software company Workday, with a market value estimated at approximately $43 billion. The potential deal could be one of the largest in the software industry.

Bill Gates' daughter under suspicion: fraud punishable by up to 20 years in prison
A Bloomberg investigation claims that the digital shopping assistant Phia, founded by the daughter of the Microsoft founder, attributed to itself purchases by users who did not use it, in order to collect commissions from retailers like Nike and Gap. The company claims it was a software bug.

Retail Revolution: Israel's Leading Company Announces Major Appointments
Following the transition to smart, data-driven digital shelves, Hedia is taking a significant leap forward by appointing two new deputy CEOs to lead its expansion momentum.

Patrick Drahi in financial crisis: billions in debt and bankruptcy risk
Massive debts of $16.3 billion threaten the collapse of the American cable giant Optimum (formerly Altice). Following an S&P credit rating downgrade, experts are forecasting a potential bankruptcy filing within the year.

Consumer Price Index: What to expect and should you take a loan now?
The Consumer Price Index for July will be released tomorrow at 14:00. While economists expect a moderate rise, they warn of inflationary pressures in the coming months that could impact the Bank of Israel's interest rate policy.

The Ministry of Defense owes IAI billions — and has pushed it into negative cash flow
Alongside new records in business activity, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is dealing with increasing pressure on its cash flow, primarily due to a 5 billion shekel debt from the Ministry of Defense.

Econergy Secures €229 Million Financing for Romanian Energy Project
Econergy, traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, has signed a financing agreement totaling approximately 229 million euros for an energy project in Europe, which features a strong revenue forecast.

Oman's boycott leads to fears of tahini, sesame, and coffee shortages in Israel
Oman, once a leading candidate to join the Abraham Accords, has stopped accepting goods destined for Israel at its ports. The situation is further complicated by the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ace Hardware franchise in economic collapse: tough competition and huge debts
An Ace Hardware network franchisee in the United States has filed for bankruptcy protection amid intense market competition. We examine the reasons behind the debt crisis and the future of the affected stores.

Leading fashion chain FOX slashes prices: 70% discount on summer collection
The FOX chain has announced an end-of-season sale with a 70% discount on summer collection items, alongside promotions on basketball gear and online-only bundles. Some items are priced under 10 shekels. Back-to-school promotions are also underway.