Stock Markets May 18, 2026 10:55 AM

Tel Aviv Stocks Slip; TA-35 Falls 1.62% to One-Month Low

Technology, oil & gas and insurance sectors weigh on market as select names post wide gains and losses

By Leila Farooq NICE NVMI TSEM

Israel's main equity gauge closed lower on Monday, with the TA-35 sliding 1.62% to a fresh one-month low. Technology, Oil & Gas and Insurance sectors were the primary drags. Individual movers included gains in NICE, Shufersal and Next Vision Stabilized Systems, while Nova, Tower Semiconductor and Kenon recorded steep declines. Oil futures rose and the dollar eased versus the shekel.

Tel Aviv Stocks Slip; TA-35 Falls 1.62% to One-Month Low
NICE NVMI TSEM

Key Points

  • The TA-35 fell 1.62% to a one-month low, led by losses in Technology, Oil & Gas and Insurance sectors.
  • Top gainers were NICE (+5.97%), Shufersal (+3.33%) and Next Vision Stabilized Systems (+2.60%); major losers included Nova (-8.99%), Tower Semiconductor (-8.90%) and Kenon (-5.64%).
  • Oil futures climbed (WTI July +1.06% to $102.09; Brent July +0.74% to $110.07) while gold futures declined and the US dollar weakened versus the shekel.

Stocks on the Tel Aviv exchange ended Monday in negative territory as pressure from Technology, Oil & Gas and Insurance sectors pushed the benchmark down.

The TA-35 declined 1.62% to close at a new one-month low.

Top performers

  • NICE Ltd (TASE:NICE) led gains, finishing up 5.97% - a rise of 1,500.00 points - to close at 26,610.00.
  • Shufersal (TASE:SAE) added 3.33% - a gain of 159.00 points - to end the session at 4,932.00.
  • Next Vision Stabilized Systems (TASE:NXSN) advanced 2.60% - up 740.00 points - to finish at 29,250.00.

Largest decliners

  • Nova (TASE:NVMI) was the weakest, falling 8.99% - a drop of 14,150.00 points - to close at 143,300.00.
  • Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TASE:TSEM) slipped 8.90% - down 7,230.00 points - to end the day at 73,970.00.
  • Kenon Holdings Ltd (TASE:KEN) lost 5.64% - a decline of 1,450.00 points - to finish at 24,240.00.

Market breadth on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange was negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers by 327 to 146, while 78 issues closed unchanged.

Shufersal (TASE:SAE) notably rose to an all-time high during the session, closing at 4,932.00 after a 3.33% increase.

Commodities and currencies

  • Crude oil for July delivery rose 1.06% - up $1.07 - to trade at $102.09 per barrel.
  • Brent oil for July delivery increased 0.74% - up $0.81 - to $110.07 per barrel.
  • June Gold Futures fell 0.35% - a drop of $15.81 - to trade at $4,546.09 per troy ounce.

On the currency front, the USD/ILS rate moved lower by 0.39% to 2.90, while EUR/ILS decreased 0.21% to 3.38.

The US Dollar Index Futures was reported down 0.21%, trading at 99.00.

Overall, Monday's session combined sector-specific selling with selective stock-level gains and losses, while commodity markets saw oil rise and gold retreat.

Risks

  • Rising crude oil prices - as shown by gains in July WTI and Brent contracts - may increase input costs for energy-intensive sectors and affect market sentiment for Israel's equities.
  • Concentrated declines in Technology and semiconductor-related names, exemplified by Tower Semiconductor's 8.90% fall, highlight sector-specific volatility that could pressure related stocks and indices.
  • Currency moves, including a weaker US dollar against the shekel and euro movements, add uncertainty for exporters and firms with significant foreign-currency exposure.

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