The Israeli stock market ended the trading session on Friday with positive momentum, as the TA 35 index rose 0.34% to close at a new all-time high, reflecting strength among key sectors including insurance, technology, and communications.
Leading the daily gains was Shapir Engineering Industry, which surged 3.56%, adding 110 points to reach a closing price of 3,200. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd followed closely, climbing 3.18% or 700 points to finish at 22,700. Similarly, Newmed Energy LP experienced an uptick of 3.12%, increasing by 58 points to a last trade price of 1,918.
Conversely, the day saw a pullback in certain prominent stocks. NICE Ltd recorded the steepest decline among TA 35 components, sliding 3.24%, or 1,170 points, to close at 34,930. Tower Semiconductor Ltd's value diminished by 1.80% or 750 points, ending the day at 40,820. Meanwhile, Leumi also retreated 1.62%, losing 124 points to settle at 7,523.
On a broader scale, advancing stocks outnumbered decliners substantially on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, with 291 shares moving up against 160 that fell, while 95 stocks were unchanged by the close.
Commodity markets reflected increased prices, particularly energy and precious metals. March crude oil futures rose 2.48%, gaining $1.47 to reach $60.83 per barrel. Brent oil for March delivery also climbed 2.45%, advancing $1.57 to $65.63 a barrel. Gold February futures were up 0.92%, increasing by 45.26 to trade at $4,958.66 per troy ounce.
Foreign exchange rates saw relative stability; the USD/ILS pair fluctuated marginally by 0.10% to 3.14, and the EUR/ILS remained nearly flat, shifting by just 0.04% to 3.69. Meanwhile, US Dollar Index futures decreased slightly by 0.23% to 97.96.