Globes

The banks filed an appeal to the Competition Tribunal against the Commissioner's decision to declare them a concentrated group, as well as against the directives set in the field of deposits. Industry experts estimate that the legal process could last up to two years. What will happen in the interim period until a decision is reached, and what are the chances of the decision being overturned?

Sales in Nike's same-store locations continue to decline - in the second quarter they fell by approximately 9.5%, following a sharp decline of 17.7% in the first quarter. Retailors noted that the impact on Nike sales was partially offset through the participation of global Nike in operating expenses as well as through benefits in purchasing terms.

Lobby 99 filed the appeal on behalf of two savers who filed private complaints with the police, claiming they were induced to transfer their money to Slice through deceitful means. Three years after the exposure of the affair in which hundreds of millions of shekels disappeared, Lobby 99 claims that the police are not advancing a criminal investigation despite information in their possession.

People use AI to answer questions on a wide range of topics. But behind the answers received, there is a struggle between different countries over the content on which the models are based. To win the war of narratives, China is willing to invest capital, and so far it is working for them.

The complex in Rishon LeZion will span approximately 1,500 square meters and will include, among other things, the Coffee Bar restaurant by Ruti Broudo, which will reopen, as well as an art museum. The Eretz Israel Museum is presenting a new exhibition by artist Neta Harari Navon. In the Port of Ashdod, a volunteer day was held at the logistics center of the 'Latet' organization. Events and...

The Brazilian competition authority has approved Strauss's acquisition of the food company from General Mills. Yoki is one of the most prominent food companies in Brazil, with annual sales estimated at approximately 1.2 billion shekels at the time of the deal's announcement in March.

Athens is expected to approve this week the purchase of three Israeli systems as part of the "Achilles Shield" program. Despite the reduction in the original amount, this is the second-largest deal for Israeli defense exports, and now eyes are on customers in the Asia-Pacific region in the shadow of the threat from China. Meanwhile, optimism is not reaching the stocks.

The former head of the Mossad, who served as the manager of Israeli operations, will expand his powers to the international arena and will work closely with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son and senior management. He will focus on the fund's new areas of activity: financing and developing server farms for AI processing and cloud computing, and investing in chip companies.

Following growth data that surprised the economy for the better, the Ministry of Finance plans to update the debt-to-GDP ratio downwards by about 0.5%. However, the figure is still relatively high compared to the past.

The Capital Markets Authority is demanding data from institutional bodies regarding their votes at public company meetings over the last 3 years. This involves hundreds of votes per body, and the institutions have turned to their voting advisory body on compensation issues to help them meet the Authority's deadline.

Data on insider purchases in the US market are at a low. It seems that while stock prices are hitting records, the people who know the companies from the inside show very little enthusiasm for buying their shares. A possible conclusion: you don't have to stay invested at any cost.

About a month ago, Castro announced its plans to launch the Chinese sportswear brand ANTA in Israel. The company has now revealed it will collaborate with the competing fashion group Renuar to jointly establish the brand's operations, subject to Competition Authority approval.

The man who was one of the architects of the AI revolution in Israel is now appointed to head Microsoft Israel, just as the company is struggling for its foothold in the government and the defense establishment.

The lawsuit concerns six publications from a "smear campaign" conducted by millionaire Alex Skler against Tzvika Naveh, owner of the business intelligence firm CGI, who is married to Skler's ex-wife. This follows a previous 10-million-shekel lawsuit. Skler responds by calling the claims "lies and misrepresentations."

A senior analyst at Wells Fargo estimates: JPMorgan is on its way to becoming the first bank in history with a market cap of $1 trillion — and could reach $2 trillion within 8 years. Wells Fargo raised the target price to $390 with an 'Overweight' rating, against the backdrop of record profits and a 21% surge in the stock.

The dollar is at a low and Israel's real interest rate is attracting demand for the local currency. The shekel has strengthened by 2.5% in a month, but IBI estimates that the fading of foreign exchange factors will push inflation back up in the second half of the year.

The Electricity Authority and the Noga company are publishing a hearing for a new pricing method for private electricity producers. The tariff will rise, alongside a reduction in compensation and payments they currently receive. The rationale: increasing certainty that will allow for an increase in production capacity in the medium and long term. The implications in the short term: a possible...

Paz benefited from an improvement in fuel margins and increased net profit by 14% for the quarter. Despite the strengthening of the shekel and a decrease in revenue, Albad recorded organic growth of 7% in original currencies, led by the European market.

World press headlines: American tourists are starting to return to Israel, an Israeli advocacy campaign may influence ChatGPT's answers, and global assessments suggest that the US and Iran could fight again even before the midterm elections. Globes presents a daily short review of interesting news from the global media about Israel.

After nearly a decade at Nvidia as the company's sales manager in Israel, Nati Amsterdam will step into the shoes of Alon Haimovich, who recently resigned from Microsoft Israel.

The Capital Market Authority has imposed financial sanctions totaling approximately 10.5 million shekels on Ne'emanut Insurance Agency for violations in the pension sector. The agency misled clients and encouraged them to make illegal early withdrawals of pension savings.

Following the announcement of Oren Dobronsky's placement on the Likud list, many warned that he would be liable for a huge sum. What is the reason for this, and who else is exposed to this payment? Globes' "Whistle" presents: The monitor explains concepts.

Insurance company Migdal presented a 5% growth in core profit, but the interest rate cut eroded the total profit, which stood at approximately 575 million shekels at the end of the quarter. The long-term savings sector continued to enjoy growth.

Sharp recovery and expansion in tourism activity: Max moved from a loss to a net profit of 80 million shekels in the second quarter. The credit card company's revenues climbed to 621 million shekels, and the consumer credit portfolio grew by 13.7%. CEO Sagit Dotan stated that the SKYMAX aviation card has crossed the 100,000 customer threshold.

Mimun Yashir's profits jumped more than 4-fold in the quarter, driven by strong performance in mortgage and auto finance. Competitor Nawi, holding about 10% of the shares, is reporting a paper profit of approximately 40 million shekels.

The state funds, the tycoons stay out: ahead of the Likud primaries, the law stipulates that MKs can receive funding from the state treasury up to a ceiling of 380 thousand shekels, and limits the ability of candidates to raise private donations. What is the situation for candidates who are not members of Knesset and what will happen to the money if they are not elected?

Trading in Tel Aviv will open against the backdrop of escalating security tensions in the north and south. Dual-listed stocks return with a mixed gap: Tower and Teva will provide support, Camtek and Nice will weigh down. Why are oil prices not soaring despite the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz? The AI effect: huge infrastructure spending is creating inflationary pressure in the US. And also: on...

Globes presents a first update on the state of global markets. This morning, there is cautious optimism at the start of the trading week against the backdrop of mixed futures on Wall Street and gains on Asian stock exchanges. Japan's growth data missed forecasts. Oil prices remain relatively stable despite uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz. The 'Hindenburg Omen' raises concerns about a market...

Despite negative returns in July following sell-offs in semiconductor stocks, the performance of local entities since the beginning of the year remains strong. Foreign currency exposure pushed Yelin Lapidot and Altshuler Shaham to the top in July. Clal and Harel are at the bottom. The forecast: "Volatility is high, and the ping-pong will continue."

Euro NCAP crash tests are imposing penalties on vehicles without physical switches, and the Chinese are tightening the standard for preventing battery fires. While manufacturers are investing a fortune to meet the safety revolution, consumers in Israel may continue to receive vehicles with less up-to-date technology.

Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Department and currently a candidate on the Yasar list, is showing great activity on the web. Between the lychee orchard in the Galilee and the toiletries department at the supermarket, he pulls out quite a few figures. Meridor is not always accurate, but at least he brings important economic issues to the discourse.

The Capital Market Authority is working to eliminate temporary life insurance discounts, requiring companies to maintain initial terms throughout the policy's duration. The regulator warns that customers lured by low entry prices often become trapped due to age or health issues, eventually facing premium hikes of hundreds of percent.

The unified investment account reform promoted by the Ministry of Finance is expected to include retail investors who trade securities independently. The implication: the possibility of tax deferral and even a full exemption from capital gains tax under certain conditions, subject to a deposit ceiling of 200,000 shekels.

The Ministry of Agriculture has revoked the approval for Baladi's plant in Brazil, effectively halting chicken imports to Israel. The move deals a significant blow to the company, which invested 21 million shekels in the facility, and follows intense pressure from local poultry producers.

The recently published F13 forms for the second quarter of 2026 reveal the investment strategies of Wall Street's most influential figures. Key trends include massive bets on Alphabet and SpaceX, alongside a significant sell-off of chip manufacturer stocks.

The new campaign of the insurance company "Hachshara" is based on a rapper character created entirely by AI. "Camri Retail" launches the "Hamama Shoshelet Pitzuchim" chain. Also in this issue: new branding for Pango, appointments, and market news.

The Israel Land Authority (ILA) reported that pollution tests in Sde Dov are progressing, but has yet to publish findings or mapping, leaving land distribution stuck. Rights holders warn that the lack of clear information harms real estate transactions and certainty surrounding the project. Simultaneously, apartment buyers are seeking to cancel option agreements and recover approximately 1.55...

The Tel Aviv District Court has approved a class action settlement against Hot Mobile, providing compensation to approximately 785,000 subscribers charged for an "international calls package" they did not request. Although the Attorney General opposed the settlement, the court approved it while staying execution pending a potential appeal.

Mangioni admitted to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to death. His lawyers now argue that the New York state trial constitutes double jeopardy due to alleged coordination between federal and state prosecutors. If the claim is accepted, the state proceeding could be blocked and Mangioni might avoid a life sentence.

As Globes has learned, the mall giant has purchased land zoned for residential and hotel use, and is working to rezone it for the construction of a 35,000 sqm mall. The company identified a shortage of a significant regional mall in Jerusalem that would compete with Azrieli's Malha Mall, which includes about 44,000 sqm.