Israel's stock market ended the trading day in negative territory on Wednesday, with the benchmark TA-35 index down 0.79% at the close in Tel Aviv. The session was marked by sector pressure in Communication, Technology and Biomed, which together dragged the market lower despite advances in several individual issues.
Winners and losers
Among the TA-35 constituents, Strauss Group (TASE:STRS) was the top performer, rising 5.28% - a gain of 660.00 points - to finish at 13,150.00. Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT) also posted a solid advance, up 3.98% or 1,870.00 points to close at 48,800.00, while Navitas Petroleum LP Unit (TASE:NVPTp) increased 1.76% or 210.00 points to end the day at 12,110.00.
On the downside, Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TASE:TSEM) led declines, falling 5.01% or 2,170.00 points to a close of 41,140.00. NICE Ltd (TASE:NICE) dropped 4.80% or 1,690.00 points to 33,510.00 and Elbit Systems Ltd (TASE:ESLT) was down 3.52% or 7,460.00 points to finish at 204,310.00.
Market breadth and new highs
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, with 283 shares falling against 188 that rose; 76 stocks finished unchanged. The session included new peaks for a couple of names: Strauss Group rose to an all-time high at 13,150.00, while Camtek reached a 52-week high at 48,800.00.
Commodities and currencies
Commodity prices moved higher during the session. Crude oil for March delivery rose 1.47% or 0.94 to $64.90 a barrel. Brent oil for April delivery gained 1.37% or 0.94 to $69.74 a barrel. The April Gold Futures contract advanced 1.04% or 52.21, trading at 5,083.21 a troy ounce.
In currency markets, USD/ILS slipped 0.17% to 3.07, while EUR/ILS fell 0.42% to 3.65. The US Dollar Index Futures increased 0.21% to 96.88.
This session underlines a dispersed market where selective stock-level strength in names such as Strauss Group and Camtek occurred alongside broader selling pressure concentrated in Communication, Technology and Biomed sectors. Market participants recorded modest gains in energy and precious metals prices and small moves in exchange rates by the close.