Israel's main stock index ended the trading day in positive territory on Friday, paced by gains across the Biomed, Technology and Real Estate sectors.
At the close in Tel Aviv the TA-35 was up 0.21%.
The strongest performers within the TA-35 were Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TASE:TSEM), which climbed 7.85% - a rise of 3,840.00 points - to finish at 52,740.00; Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT), which added 4.83% or 2,510.00 points to close at 54,450.00; and Nova (TASE:NVMI), which gained 4.64% or 6,700.00 points to settle at 151,200.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd (TASE:ENLT) led the decliners, falling 4.70% or 1,110.00 points to 22,510.00 at the close. ICL Israel Chemicals Ltd (TASE:ICL) slipped 2.52% or 41.00 points to end at 1,585.00, while NICE Ltd (TASE:NICE) declined 2.28% or 850.00 points to 36,500.00.
Market breadth in Tel Aviv favored advancing names, with 289 stocks higher versus 164 that fell; 98 issues finished unchanged.
Notable milestone moves included Tower Semiconductor, whose shares rose to five-year highs on the session - appreciating 7.85% to close at 52,740.00. Camtek’s stock moved higher to an all-time high, rising 4.83% to 54,450.00.
Commodities registered mixed activity: crude oil for May delivery increased 1.14% or $1.09 to $96.64 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery was up 0.58% or $0.63, reaching $109.28 a barrel. Precious metals moved differently as April Gold Futures declined 1.00% or $46.11 to trade at $4,559.59 a troy ounce.
In foreign exchange trading, the Israeli shekel moved modestly against the dollar and euro. The USD/ILS rate rose 0.41% to 3.12, while EUR/ILS was essentially unchanged, moving 0.04% to 3.60. The US Dollar Index Futures traded higher as well, up 0.44% at 99.49.
Context and market implications
The session’s gains were concentrated in technology and biomed-related names along with real estate issues, which collectively supported the TA-35’s modest advance. Energy and commodity benchmarks showed divergent moves, with crude and Brent higher while gold weakened. Breadth statistics reflected a larger number of advancing stocks versus decliners.
What the data show
- TA-35: +0.21% at the close.
- Top gainers: TASE:TSEM (+7.85%), TASE:CAMT (+4.83%), TASE:NVMI (+4.64%).
- Top laggards: TASE:ENLT (-4.70%), TASE:ICL (-2.52%), TASE:NICE (-2.28%).
- Market breadth: 289 advancers, 164 decliners, 98 unchanged.
- Commodities and FX: WTI May $96.64 (+1.14%), Brent May $109.28 (+0.58%), Gold Apr $4,559.59 (-1.00%), USD/ILS 3.12 (+0.41%), EUR/ILS 3.60 (+0.04%), DXY futures 99.49 (+0.44%).
Trading participants should note the distribution of gains across sectors and the intra-session milestones for select technology names, while monitoring commodity and currency moves that accompanied the equity session.