Israel's main stock index finished in negative territory on Monday, with the TA 35 losing 0.33% at the close in Tel Aviv. Sectoral pressure from Oil & Gas, Financials and Banking contributed to the downward move.
The session produced a handful of notable winners within the TA 35. NICE Ltd (TASE:NICE) led the leaders, climbing 5.50% or 1,580.00 points to finish at 30,330.00. ICL Israel Chemicals Ltd (TASE:ICL) also advanced, gaining 5.06% or 79.00 points to close at 1,639.00. Fattal 1998 Holdings Ltd (TASE:FTAL) rose 3.52% or 2,500.00 points to 73,450.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT) posted the largest decline among TA 35 names, slipping 4.42% or 2,680.00 points to end at 57,900.00. Elbit Systems Ltd (TASE:ESLT) fell 2.67% or 6,700.00 points to 244,400.00, and Israel Discount Bank Ltd (TASE:DSCT) was down 2.50% or 85.00 points to 3,320.00.
Market breadth was negative at the close. Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange by 256 to 218, and 77 issues were unchanged. The session also saw Fattal 1998 Holdings Ltd (TASE:FTAL) reach all time highs; up 3.52% or 2,500.00 to 73,450.00.
Commodities displayed mixed signals. Crude oil for June delivery increased 2.32% or 2.19 to trade at $96.59 a barrel. Brent oil for July delivery was up 2.55% or 2.53 to $101.66 a barrel. By contrast, the June Gold Futures contract fell 0.95% or 45.05 to $4,695.85 a troy ounce.
Currency and dollar index moves rounded out the market picture. USD/ILS was down 0.35% to 2.98, while EUR/ILS fell 0.17% to 3.49. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.22% to 98.15.
What this means for market participants
- Indexes closed lower overall, reflecting sector-specific downward pressure even as select large caps posted gains.
- Commodity prices were divergent, with oil higher and gold lower, adding mixed inputs for inflation-sensitive sectors.
- Currency moves were modest, with the shekel strengthening slightly versus both the dollar and the euro in the reported session.