Israel equities closed in negative territory on Thursday, with sector weakness in Banking, Real Estate and Financials driving the downward move. At the close in Tel Aviv the TA 35 index registered a decline of 1.56%.
Among members of the TA 35 there were notable winners. ICL Israel Chemicals Ltd (TASE:ICL) led gains, climbing 6.88% - an increase of 110.00 points - to finish at 1,710.00. Delek Group (TASE:DLEKG) advanced 3.83%, adding 4,040.00 points to close at 109,540.00. Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TASE:TSEM) also posted a solid rise, up 3.11% or 1,140.00 points to end the session at 37,790.00.
On the downside, Camtek Ltd (TASE:CAMT) recorded the steepest drop among major names, falling 4.51% - a fall of 2,270.00 points - to close at 48,030.00. Israel Discount Bank Ltd (TASE:DSCT) declined 4.12% or 148.00 points to settle at 3,442.00. Amot Investments Ltd (TASE:AMOT) was down 3.72%, losing 80.00 points to finish at 2,072.00.
Market breadth skewed strongly negative on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones by 358 to 114, and 77 securities finished unchanged.
Commodities trading saw crude oil for April delivery move higher, up 8.66% or 7.56 to $94.81 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery rose 7.84% or 7.21 to $99.19 a barrel. In contrast, the April Gold Futures contract fell 0.78% or 40.24 to trade at $5,138.86 a troy ounce.
Currency markets showed modest strength in the US dollar against the shekel and euro. The USD/ILS pair was up 0.53% to 3.13, while EUR/ILS rose 0.19% to 3.61. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.40% at 99.63.
Market snapshot
- TA 35 -1.56% at close
- Leading gainers: ICL (+6.88%), Delek Group (+3.83%), Tower Semiconductor (+3.11%)
- Leading decliners: Camtek (-4.51%), Israel Discount Bank (-4.12%), Amot Investments (-3.72%)
- Advancers 114; Decliners 358; Unchanged 77
- Crude (April) $94.81 - up 8.66%
- Brent (May) $99.19 - up 7.84%
- Gold (April) $5,138.86 - down 0.78%
- USD/ILS 3.13 (+0.53%); EUR/ILS 3.61 (+0.19%)
- US Dollar Index Futures 99.63 (+0.40%)
The session left the exchange dominated by losses in the Banking, Real Estate and Financials sectors, while a subset of industrial and energy-related names produced the day’s strongest gains. Trading breadth and the concentration of declines underline the market’s broadly negative tone at the close.