Israel's equity market ended the trading day in positive territory on Friday, with the TA 35 index up 0.64% at the close. Sector strength in Real Estate, Communication and Banking underpinned the move higher as more stocks gained than lost on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Among TA 35 components, Amot Investments Ltd (TASE:AMOT) led the advance, rising 3.49% - or 72.00 points - to finish at 2,133.00. Azrieli Group Ltd (TASE:AZRG) also posted a notable gain, adding 3.45% - or 1,550.00 points - to close at 46,490.00. Fattal 1998 Holdings Ltd (TASE:FTAL) rounded out the top performers with a 3.27% increase - or 2,200.00 points - to 69,400.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Navitas Petroleum LP Unit (TASE:NVPTp) was the weakest TA 35 member, sliding 3.06% - or 420.00 points - to 13,320.00 at the close. Newmed Energy LP (TASE:NWMDp) fell 2.38% - or 46.00 points - to end at 1,887.00, while Delek Group (TASE:DLEKG) dropped 1.12% - or 1,110.00 points - to 97,890.00.
Market breadth was firmly positive. Advancers outnumbered decliners by a wide margin, with 347 stocks rising against 115 that fell. A further 89 issues finished unchanged.
Commodities showed marked moves during the session. Crude oil for May delivery declined 13.73% - or 13.00 - to trade at $81.69 a barrel. Brent oil for June delivery fell 12.80% - or 12.72 - to $86.67 a barrel. Precious metals moved the other way, with the June Gold Futures contract rising 1.89% - or 90.86 - to settle at $4,899.16 a troy ounce.
In foreign exchange trading, the shekel strengthened versus key currencies. USD/ILS was down 0.99% at 2.97, and EUR/ILS fell 0.69% to 3.50. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.43% to 97.60.
The session’s pattern showed broad participation in the rise across sectors cited above, while energy-related names tended to lag. Price action in global commodities and moves in the dollar correlated with local market sentiment during the close.
Summary of market action
- TA 35 closed up 0.64% after the close on Friday.
- Top gainers on the TA 35: Amot (TASE:AMOT), Azrieli (TASE:AZRG), Fattal 1998 (TASE:FTAL).
- Biggest decliners: Navitas Petroleum (TASE:NVPTp), Newmed Energy (TASE:NWMDp), Delek Group (TASE:DLEKG).
- Commodities: steep drops in crude and Brent oil; gold futures higher.
- Currency: USD/ILS and EUR/ILS both fell; US Dollar Index Futures eased.