Economy

Buyers have lost trust: Debt and politics in the USA are on a collision course
With a federal debt of nearly 40 trillion dollars and double that in household debt, America needs more and more buyers for its debts. However, approaches of an economic wall on one side and wild socialism on the other are creating deterrence. Can America restore trust in its political and economic system, and what lesson can it learn from Germany?

The ticket is just the beginning: Ancillary products have become the airlines' gold mine
For years, every detail of our flight ticket has become subject to an extra charge—seating, luggage, and so on. Airlines make billions of dollars a year from these extras. A reform approved last week is expected to change the landscape in the European Union, and perhaps later in Israel as well.

"(former) trillionaire": companies owned by Elon Musk end a tough week
Elon Musk ended a tough week: Tesla shares fell by 18%, and SpaceX shares dropped by 7.2%. The decline in the value of these companies wiped out approximately $130 billion from the businessman's net worth.

"Price drops of up to 5%": How much was a penthouse in Shoham sold for?
In the Kramim neighborhood of Shoham, a 140 sq. m penthouse with a 40 sq. m balcony was sold for 5.3 million shekels. The property underwent a thorough renovation, with buyers investing an additional 50,000 shekels in furniture and lighting. Here is a summary of transactions from the past week.

Does the apartment look perfect? These are the checks you must do before buying
Buying an apartment is the largest financial transaction of most people's lives. To avoid risks related to illegal construction, debts, and hidden defects, it is essential to conduct thorough due diligence before signing any contract.

Started as a waiter at Benedict and became CEO of the group within 13 years: "It's my life's work"
Dan Ben Shmuel, who started as a waiter at Benedict 13 years ago, has been appointed CEO of the restaurant group. In his first interview, he discusses the challenges of the restaurant industry, including the protection racket, rising costs, and the group's strategy to return to 24/7 operations and expand its hybrid bakery model.

Warner acquisition frozen: Paramount may face over a billion dollars in compensation payments
Following a federal court ruling that the deal must be re-examined, Paramount has been forced to halt the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The company is expected to pay a penalty of $7 million per day starting September 30 until a judge rules on the future of the merger. Based on past cases, such proceedings can take many months.

Good news for hundreds of thousands of Israelis: Insurance companies are returning 1 billion shekels
After a 15-year legal battle, insurance companies have begun issuing refunds as part of a settlement agreement totaling approximately 1 billion shekels. Eligible individuals will receive the funds automatically, with no application required.

He won't go hungry: LeBron James' economic empire
The star gave up 92% of his salary to join Philadelphia, but with $1.7 billion in career earnings, it is hard to say he took a financial risk.

Fear of Skyscraper Collapse in New York Highlights Risks of Office-to-Apartment Conversions
The former Pfizer headquarters was recently at risk of partial collapse, leading developers and lenders to anticipate stricter safety inspections and rising insurance costs for future conversion projects.

Despite rising tension with Iran: J.P. Morgan expects interest rate cut in Israel in September
Despite geopolitical tensions, J.P. Morgan analysts forecast a Bank of Israel interest rate cut in September. The bank argues that the Israeli economy remains resilient against oil-related shocks.

"Apartment as a gift"? The lucky winner of the raffle and the taxes that will shrink her winnings
As part of the campaign, the company Anshei HaIr promised that one of every 50 first buyers to purchase an apartment in one of the company's projects in quarters 3 and 4 in Tel Aviv would win a two-room apartment near Kikar HaMedina, with an estimated value of approximately 2.5 million shekels. During the campaign period, 13 apartments were sold in the participating projects, for a total volume of...

After declines in Asia: gains in Europe and in Wall Street futures
In early trading, Intel is surging following a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast, while most semiconductor stocks are trading lower. The price of gold is climbing moderately, oil is falling. The USA will impose tariffs of 10%-12.5% on imports from most of its major trading partners. The "Magnificent Seven" group recorded its sharpest day of declines since the tariff turmoil in April 2025.

Ofer Yanai is firing in all directions: adding institutional investors and pushing for power station acquisition
Since the beginning of the week, Yanai has added former El Al CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia as an external director, entered negotiations with Meitav for an investment in Nofar Israel and with Migdal Insurance for an investment in Nofar Europe, and attempted to purchase shares in the Reindeer power station from Phoenix and other investors.

Parallel to Shashua's departure: Moovit lays off a third of its employees
The public transport app operator Moovit, owned by Mobileye, is launching a layoff process in which about a third of the company's 200 employees will leave. The layoffs come alongside the announcement of Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua's departure.

"A cash flow survival strategy": Installment payments help get through the month
The number of installment transactions rose by 64% compared to June 2025, with the total volume jumping by 79%, according to data from Menora ERN. While installment payments are not inherently problematic, it is crucial to determine whether this reflects sound financial management or merely a deferral of current cash flow issues to future months.

Second U-turn: Electra Real Estate completes previously cancelled capital raise at an 18% discount
Electra Real Estate, a manager of rental housing complexes in the USA, lowered its offering price and completed a 150 million shekel share issuance (approx. 6% of the company) to Menora Mivtachim and other investors. If options are exercised, the company will receive an additional 80 million shekels.

The Aftermath of the War with Iran: A Surprising Shortage in India
The war between the USA and Iran has led to a shortage of aluminum cans and a price hike of over 10% for Diet Coke in India. The phenomenon has sparked an unprecedented trend in the country: exclusive "Diet Coke parties" at local clubs.

The 25-year-old manager, the employee the age of his father: the generation war that hurts office productivity
It's not just ego, it's an operational failure: the traditional corporate model is turning upside down, and young, talented managers from Generation Z are leading employees who are older and more experienced than them. The clash between the overtime culture and digital flexibility creates partial output for full pay. How to solve this value contradiction and gain industrial peace?

Selling an inherited apartment: Capital gains tax exemption up to 5,008,000 NIS
An heir selling a single apartment received from their parents may be completely exempt from capital gains tax, but three cumulative conditions determine who is eligible and who will pay tax on the full profit.

Intel's results prove: It doesn't pay to bet against Trump
Intel's stock has become one of the fastest-growing tech stocks of the past year, jumping by about 326% and crossing a market cap of half a billion dollars, its highest ever. This mirrors Alphabet's reports from yesterday, which showed that software and cloud giants are only increasing their commitment to purchasing chips.

Received a new apartment and entered two years of malfunctions, leaks, and a chase after the developer
Occupancy in an urban renewal project should be a highlight for tenants, but it sometimes turns out to be the beginning of a period of repairs and dragging feet by the developer and contractor. We examine why apartment owners might find themselves dependent on the developer and how an experienced lawyer and appropriate guarantees can reduce the risk.

The Metro project: What will be the fate of protected tenants?
The law established a compensation mechanism for property owners in buildings to be expropriated, but does not explicitly regulate the rights of protected tenants. Is it possible they will be forced to settle for compensation based on key money alone?

TA closed with gains and concludes a green week; defense stocks jumped by 3.5% today
The TA-35 index rose by 0.6%, TA-125 climbed by 0.4%. In the defense sector, Next Vision strengthened by 6.3%, while Elbit Systems and Arit Industries rose by 3.9%.

The shekel strengthens after the tariff decision: the dollar is below 3.06 shekels
The shekel saw a slight rise following President Donald Trump's decision to impose new tariffs, which also affect Israel. The dollar fell by 0.6%, trading at 3.054 shekels.

"We discovered that an employee ran a procedure at night that cost 38 thousand dollars"
With the integration of AI, tokens have become a new cost unit for organizations. Managers must now oversee both human capital and a digital "workforce," balancing innovation with strict budget controls and efficiency.

The important economic reforms that were torpedoed – and the weekly victim of the AI revolution
The Ministry of Finance is furious over the rejection of structural reforms like the Metropolitan Authorities Law. Monday cuts 20% of its workforce, the online money laundering industry is luring young people, Supergas will pay 36 million shekels in compensation, and the cottage cheese shortage highlights a broader issue of factory shutdowns due to a lack of foreign technicians.

Five things to know ahead of the opening of trading on the stock exchange
Trading in Tel Aviv will open this morning against the backdrop of the escalation between the USA and Iran. Key highlights: sharp declines in Asia, the expiration of the Generation fund's exclusivity deal with Shikun & Binui, and new tariffs imposed by Trump.

Mixed closing on Wall Street: oil lost height, Intel fell by almost 8%
Wall Street indices closed with mixed results: the Dow Jones index rose by 0.5%, the S&P 500 index rose by less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq index fell by 0.6%. Brent crude oil fell by 3.1% to $97.6 per barrel.

This is the most worthwhile tax benefit. Here is how to enjoy it twice
Tax benefits on deposits and a full exemption from capital gains tax after six years make Keren Hishtalmut the ultimate savings product. Despite the annual deposit ceiling, some can enjoy the benefit twice: how does combining employment as an employee with self-employed activity allow holding two funds simultaneously? Retirement experts answer critical questions about retiring in a new column.

"No one messes with Shufersal": The Amir brothers' unusual move to fight fraud
Establishing an anti-racketeering unit, firing managers, replacing suppliers, and reviving the discount chain — brothers Yossi and Shlomi Amir have radically transformed Shufersal. In two years, the company's value jumped from 5 to 12 billion shekels, but aggressive management methods raise questions about customer loyalty.

How to lower apartment prices?
Prices are currently frozen with a downward trend. The Central Bureau of Statistics' apartment price index indicates a minimal decrease, but some argue that the actual decline is more significant. Meanwhile, some wonder how prices can be lowered proactively. What can the state and municipalities do about it, and how can the apartment production chain be addressed to reach a situation where more...

Urban Renewal: The Developer's Hidden Partner
In recent years, local authorities have become dominant partners in urban renewal projects, not only as regulators but also as stakeholders requiring public spaces within residential developments. While this addresses the need for public infrastructure, developers warn that excessive or unclear demands can harm economic feasibility, create uncertainty, and delay project implementation.

Approaching the deadline: What awaits 'on paper' apartment buyers
Many apartments sold 'on paper' in recent years are nearing occupancy, requiring buyers to secure full payment. Amidst price stagnation and high interest rates, many are facing financial challenges. Experts discuss the risks of contract cancellations and the best ways to prepare for the final payment day.

"The office has turned from an operational tool into a strategic tool"
How new office buildings and business parks have turned from a real estate tool into a tool for recruiting, retaining, and attracting employees. Do hybrid work, competition for employees, and the need to bring people back to the office affect the planning of office towers, business parks, and the tenant experience? We went to check.

No one knows
Between developers promising price increases and CEOs reporting a 20% drop, Israelis are left without a compass. In the current reality, the answer to the question "should I buy now" depends mainly on the interest of the person advising you.

"Long-term rental is an essential component of a modern housing market"
Is the residential culture in Israel changing, or is the price surge forcing a new reality? While many are torn between the aspiration for homeownership and the economic need for stable rent, the housing market struggles to provide answers, and industry leaders explain why the only way to lower prices is to expand supply from all directions.

Apartment in a Story
Social networks and artificial intelligence are taking over the marketing and advertising world. Is the old and conservative real estate industry also racing in that direction? Are Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook the new sales offices? We spoke with professionals to understand what content works and what doesn't, what makes a client leave details, and what still requires a personal meeting.

Alone in the campaign: The fate of old buildings after TAMA 38
Following the cancellation of TAMA 38 and the industry's shift toward large-scale 'Pinui-Binui' complexes, many old residential buildings are being left behind. Experts discuss whether alternative mechanisms, such as the 'Shaked alternative,' can provide the necessary strengthening and protection for individual buildings, or if they risk being excluded from urban renewal.

The Question of Questions: Why Are Apartment Prices Not Falling?
Despite falling transaction volumes and record-high housing supply, apartment prices are not showing a sharp decline. Experts attribute this to hidden discounts, developer financing constraints, and resilient baseline demand.