Stocks in Israel ended Tuesday's session weaker, with losses concentrated in the Insurance, Financials and Real Estate sectors. The benchmark TA 35 closed down 1.75% amid broad negative breadth.
Among the TA 35 constituents, Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT) recorded the largest advance, climbing 9.05% - an increase of 4,160.00 points - to finish at 50,120.00 at the close. Nova (TASE:NVMI) added 1.73%, gaining 2,400.00 points to close at 141,220.00, while Ormat Technologies (TASE:ORA) was up 1.55%, or 550.00 points, to end the day at 36,050.00.
On the downside, several insurance-sector names weighed heavily on the market. Migdal Insurance (TASE:MGDL) fell 8.73%, losing 165.00 points to close at 1,725.00. Menora Miv Hld (TASE:MMHD) declined 8.66%, or 4,320.00 points, to finish at 45,580.00, and Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd (TASE:CLIS) dropped 7.89%, a fall of 2,020.00 points, to 23,590.00.
Market breadth was skewed toward decliners, with 378 stocks falling versus 101 that advanced on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange; 69 names ended the session unchanged.
Commodities trading saw light losses in oil and gold. Crude oil for April delivery slipped 0.68%, down $0.45, to $65.86 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery fell 0.48%, or $0.34, to $70.77 a barrel. April Gold Futures were lower as well, declining 1.18% - a drop of $61.79 - to trade at $5,163.81 a troy ounce.
Currency moves accompanied the equity weakness. The USD/ILS rate eased 0.31% to 3.10, and EUR/ILS fell 0.38% to 3.66. The US Dollar Index Futures ticked higher, up 0.18% at 97.82.
Summary of notable market moves:
- TA 35: down 1.75% at the close.
- Top gainers on the index: Camtek Ltd +9.05%; Nova +1.73%; Ormat Technologies +1.55%.
- Largest decliners on the index: Migdal Insurance -8.73%; Menora Miv Hld -8.66%; Clal Insurance Enterprises -7.89%.
- Breadth: 378 decliners, 101 advancers, 69 unchanged.
- Commodities and FX: Brent and WTI down modestly; gold futures fell; USD/ILS and EUR/ILS both declined while the US Dollar Index Futures rose slightly.