Economy — Israel news in English

Dubai Developer Struggles to Sell Luxury Condos on Site of Deadly Surfside Collapse in Florida

Dubai's Damac Properties struggles to sell luxury condos on the site of the 2018 Surfside tower collapse in Florida, where 98 people died. Despite high-end designs and $15 million…

Secondhand Apartment Renovations Decline Amid Market Slowdown and Rising Costs

Israel's secondhand housing market is slowing, with fewer sellers renovating apartments before sale due to competition from new developments, rising renovation costs, and economic…

Rabbi Elazar Leventhal Critiques 'Net 60' Payment Terms as Unfair to Workers

Rabbi Elazar Leventhal condemned the 'Net 60' payment practice, urging businesses to pay workers promptly as mandated by Torah ethics.

German Merck Group Shuts Two Israeli R&D Centers, Lays Off All Employees

German pharmaceutical giant Merck Group is closing two Israeli R&D centers and laying off all employees there, while restructuring its Yavne drug development site to focus on inno…

Iranian Rial Hits Record Low Against US Dollar at Nearly 2 Million per Dollar

The Iranian rial has reached a historic low of 1.935 million per US dollar, marking the second time it has fallen below 1.9 million rials per dollar.

Israeli Housing Market Faces Conflicting Price Forecasts Amid Election Uncertainty

As Israel approaches elections, the housing market faces conflicting forecasts with buyers and developers pausing amid political uncertainty. High interest rates and abundant supp…

Israeli Knesset Approves Import Reform to Ease US Product Entry and Boost Competition

The Israeli Knesset approved a reform allowing easier import of US-standard products to Israel, aiming to reduce costs, increase competition, and expand consumer choices. The refo…

Chinese E-Commerce Giant Shein Gets Approval for Hong Kong IPO Targeting $50 Billion Valuation

Chinese e-commerce giant Shein has received approval for a Hong Kong IPO, targeting a $40-50 billion valuation, after previous failed attempts in New York and London. The company…

Dollar and Euro Strengthen Against Shekel as Forex Week Ends

The Israeli shekel weakened against the US dollar and euro at the end of the forex trading week, with the dollar rising above 3.05 shekels and the euro reaching 3.49 shekels.

Average Rent in Major Israeli Cities Rises 5% to 5,000 Shekels Amid High Demand

Rental prices in Israel's major cities have risen by 5% over the past year, averaging about 5,000 shekels per month. A new Bizportal database provides updated rental price data to…

Tamar Gas Partners Advance $20 Billion Export Deal to Egypt

Isramco and Mubadala Energy, holding 40% of Tamar gas field rights, signed a non-binding deal to export up to 80 BCM of gas to Egypt by 2043, potentially worth $20 billion. The de…

Israeli Retail Investors Prefer Investment Apps Over Banks Amid Market Boom

In 2025, Israeli retail investors significantly boosted stock market activity, favoring investment house trading apps over traditional banks due to lower fees and better services…

Israel Approves Business Credit Data Repository to Boost Competition and Lower Interest Rates

Israel has approved a new business credit data repository to enhance competition and reduce interest rates for small and medium enterprises. The reform centralizes financial data…

Osher Ad Tops Israeli Food Chains by Expanding Beyond Groceries

Israeli food chain Osher Ad leads the sector by expanding beyond groceries to include electronics and real estate, using parallel imports to offer lower prices. Rami Levy and Yell…

Manor Evergreen Acquires 24.6% Stake in ORD Control Systems for NIS 50 Million

Manor Evergreen has acquired a 24.6% stake in Israeli control systems firm ORD for NIS 50 million, with an option to increase to 30.7%. ORD, specializing in safety and solar energ…

US-Iran Tensions Escalate Amid Sharp Global Market Declines Including Tel Aviv Exchange

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opens amid heightened US-Iran conflict and sharp global market drops. US strikes on Iran continue for a fifth night, while Asian and US markets fall si…

Global Chip Sector Slump Drives Negative Opening for Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

Global semiconductor stock declines, driven by AI investment concerns and patent penalties, weigh on Tel Aviv and international markets. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opens lower am…

Asian Markets Plunge Sharply as Tech Sell-Off and Global Pressures Mount

Asian stock markets plunged sharply on Friday, led by a 6.4% drop in South Korea's Kospi and a 5.6% fall in Japan's Nikkei, amid a tech sell-off and global economic pressures. Sou…

Russian Oligarchs Move Billions Abroad Amid Kremlin Asset Seizure Fears

Russian oligarchs, fearing Kremlin asset seizures, have moved billions abroad over the past year, increasing investments in digital currencies and foreign real estate. This capita…

Hyundai Kona Electric Offers Practical Family EV Option Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Amid geopolitical tensions limiting Chinese EVs in Israel, Hyundai Kona Electric emerges as a practical family electric vehicle with competitive range, comfort, and pricing. It of…

Qatar Blocks Iron Dome Production Deal in Germany, Affecting Israeli Defense Exports

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund blocked an Israeli-German deal to produce Iron Dome components in Germany, citing the Israeli partner, affecting thousands of jobs. This move also th…

Young Israeli Investor Overcomes Injury to Lead Hedge Fund and Advocate Financial Literacy

How to Avoid Losing Hundreds of Thousands of Shekels When Retiring in Israel

An Israeli retiree discovered she was unnecessarily paying duplicate life insurance premiums, highlighting the need for retirees to review finances carefully. Experts stress apply…

IEA Chief Warns of Global Energy Risks if Strait of Hormuz Oil Flow Does Not Improve

Fatih Birol, IEA chief, warned that without swift US-Iran action to improve oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, global energy security is at risk.

Yohananof CEO Blames High Taxes, Not Retailers, for Israel's Cost of Living Crisis

Eitan Yohananof, CEO of the Yohananof supermarket chain, attributes Israel's high cost of living to excessive taxation rather than retailer profits. He shared insights on his busi…

Netflix Misses Revenue Forecast and Lowers 2026 Outlook, Shares Drop 8%

Netflix reported Q2 earnings with a slight profit beat but missed revenue expectations, leading to an 8% stock drop. The company lowered its 2026 revenue forecast and plans to red…

CalMobil Secures GAC Vehicle Import License in Austria, Expands European Presence

Israeli importer CalMobil has secured the franchise to import Chinese automaker GAC's vehicles in Austria, leveraging local production to expand across Europe. This follows CalMob…

Trustees Request 60 Days to Operate and Sell Israeli Fashion Chain Anot and Jump

Temporary trustees of Israeli fashion chains Anot and Jump propose operating the companies for 60 days to preserve value and initiate a public sale process. They plan branch closu…

TSMC Reports 77% Net Profit Surge, Plans $100 Billion Investment in Arizona

TSMC reported a 77.4% net profit increase in Q2 and plans to invest $100 billion more in Arizona chip factories, reflecting strong AI demand.

Small Recurring Expenses Add Significant Strain to Israeli Family Budgets Amid Rising Living Costs

Israeli families face growing financial strain not only from major expenses like housing and food but also from small recurring charges that accumulate unnoticed. Experts stress t…

Knesset Committee Approves New Regulations to Ease Costs for Construction Sector

The Knesset Labor Committee approved regulations increasing wage deductions for foreign workers' housing costs by 50%, easing financial pressure on Israel's construction sector. T…

Investors Face Uncertainty as Israel's Capital Market Track Reform Obscures Fund Details

Two years after Israel's Capital Market Authority reformed investment tracks, investors face confusion due to generic fund names and shifting investment policies, risking unclear…

No Capital Gains Tax Changes for Investment Portfolios After Age 60 in Israel

Israeli investors aged 60 and above continue to pay the same capital gains tax on their investment portfolios, with no new tax benefits introduced for this age group.

Midar-Propdo Wins Major Housing Redevelopment Projects in Beersheba and Kiryat Gat

Midar-Propdo won two major tenders to redevelop housing projects in southern Israel, including 3,384 units in Beersheba and 1,335 units in Kiryat Gat, replacing older buildings wi…

Israeli Transport Ministry Extends Chery Import License for Four Years Despite Competition Authority's One-Year Recommendation

The Israeli Ministry of Transport renewed Carasso Group's Chery import license until 2030, overriding the Competition Authority's recommendation for a one-year extension amid an o…

Moody’s Warns Israel’s Judicial Reform Could Risk Credit Rating Downgrade

Moody’s warns that Israel’s recent law weakening the government legal advisor’s role could risk a credit rating downgrade, though the rating remains stable for now. The Knesset pa…

Uber Acquires German Delivery Hero for $14.8 Billion to Expand European Market Presence

Uber is acquiring Delivery Hero for $14.8 billion to expand its delivery services into 50 new markets, mainly in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The deal includes selling Deliver…

New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh Commits to Fighting Inflation Despite Potential Clash with Trump

Kevin Warsh began his term as Federal Reserve Chair in May 2026, pledging to reduce inflation to 2% and maintain the Fed's independence despite potential pressure from former Pres…

ION Private Equity Acquires Control of Arasal from Ze'ev Dagani for NIS 108 Million

ION Private Equity is acquiring Ze'ev Dagani's 50.29% stake in Arasal Electronics for NIS 108 million, marking a major ownership change. Despite recent profit gains, Arasal's stoc…

Arab Consumers Prefer Luxury and Global Brands Reflecting Rising Economic Power

A 2026 survey shows Arab consumers in Israel prefer luxury and global brands, reflecting rising incomes and economic empowerment, while also supporting inclusive Israeli brands li…

Israeli Duo Builds $100M U.S. Men’s Grooming Brand Particle for Men

Israeli entrepreneurs Il Ebert and Guy Falkovitz founded Particle for Men, a men’s grooming brand headquartered in Israel but operating mainly in the U.S. The company, launched in…

Eli Lilly Acquires Psychedelic Drug Maker AtaiBeckley for $3.8 Billion to Expand Mental Health Portfolio

Eli Lilly is acquiring psychedelic drug maker AtaiBeckley for $3.8 billion to enhance its mental health treatment portfolio, focusing on depression and anxiety. The deal includes…

Flight Prices Surge Near $1,000 for Rosh Hashanah Travel, Major Airline Price Gaps Revealed

Flight prices from Israel for Rosh Hashanah have surged, with tickets nearing $1,000 and large price gaps between airlines. Significant differences were found on routes to Crete…

Phoenix Expands Share Buyback Program to 400 Million Shekels by 2026

Phoenix Insurance is increasing its share buyback program to 400 million shekels by 2026 after nearly exhausting the initial 300 million shekel budget. The buybacks, funded from i…

Prediction Market Platform Seeks Approval to Launch Flight Cancellation Trading Contracts

Kalshi has requested U.S. regulatory approval to launch contracts enabling trading on flight cancellation rates at specific airports, offering travelers a new hedging tool amid re…

Bank of America Report Highlights Israel's Lag Behind Canada, Netherlands, and South Korea in Key Sector

Bank of America's new report shows Israel falling behind Canada, the Netherlands, and South Korea in an economic sector, highlighted in Calcalist's weekly trivia quiz.

Big Shopping Centers Plans Senior Housing Conversion for Second Tower in Ramat Hasharon

Big Shopping Centers plans to convert nearly half of the second tower at its Big Fashion Glilot complex near Ramat Hasharon from office space to senior housing. The mixed-use towe…

Israel Distributes First 2025 Work Grant Installment to 130,000 Recipients

The Israeli Tax Authority is distributing the first 2025 Work Grant payment today, totaling 260 million shekels to 130,000 eligible low-income workers and parents, with applicatio…