Market overview
Stocks in Israel ended the trading session lower on Tuesday, with the TA 35 closing down 1.95%. Losses in Technology, Real Estate and Insurance sectors contributed to the slide in the benchmark index.
Session leaders and laggards
On the index, NICE Ltd (TASE:NICE) recorded the strongest gain, rising 3.89% - an increase of 1,120.00 points - to finish at 29,940.00. Navitas Petroleum LP Unit (TASE:NVPTp) also posted a positive result, gaining 2.24% or 280.00 points to close at 12,760.00. First International Bank of Israel Ltd (TASE:FIBI) advanced 1.88%, up 410.00 points to end the day at 22,240.00.
At the other end of the TA 35, Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT) led declines, tumbling 10.39% or 4,580.00 points to 39,500.00 at the close. Nova (TASE:NVMI) fell 8.27%, down 12,100.00 points to 134,200.00, while Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TASE:TSEM) dropped 7.88%, a retreat of 5,360.00 points to 62,650.00.
Market breadth and exchange activity
Decliners outnumbered advancers across the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, with 334 stocks falling versus 126 gaining. An additional 96 issues finished unchanged.
Commodities and foreign exchange
Energy markets saw gains: crude oil for August delivery rose 2.52%, up $1.73 to $70.28 a barrel. Brent oil for September delivery climbed 2.53%, increasing $1.82 to $73.81 a barrel. Precious metals were mixed, with the August Gold Futures contract slipping 0.09% or $3.79 to trade at $4,163.71 per troy ounce.
Currency moves were significant for the shekel: USD/ILS strengthened 1.50% to 3.04, and EUR/ILS rose 1.43% to 3.47. The US Dollar Index Futures was slightly higher, up 0.07% at 100.68.
Implications
The trading day combined sector-specific weakness with broader moves in energy and foreign exchange markets. While several large-cap names ended higher, the overall market tone was negative as falling issues significantly outpaced winners.
Summary
- The TA 35 closed down 1.95%.
- Top gainers included NICE, NVPTp and FIBI; top decliners were CAMT, NVMI and TSEM.
- Oil prices rose and the shekel weakened against the dollar and euro.