The recent depreciation of the shekel against foreign currencies has sparked speculation that the Bank of Israel will intervene in the foreign exchange market. The shekel has fallen by 8% against the dollar in just over a month since the government's push for judicial...
As Federal Reserve looks to raise interest rates, Israel is gearing up to deal with repercussions
Inflation in the United States is on the rise and it is expected to impact Israel's economy. The recent release of the Private Consumption Expenditure Index (PCE) data, the preferred inflation index of the Fed, showed that inflation is not decreasing as expected....
U.S. housing market is in its worst decline since 2008
The housing market in the United States has lost $2.3 trillion in value, the largest loss since the global financial crisis of 2008. According to data from real estate brokerage Redfin, the total value of U.S. homes dropped by 4.9%, after reaching a peak of $47.7...
While many are focusing on appreciating dollar, it is this currency that gained 20% against shekel
Despite hitting a low in 2022, the euro has made a remarkable recovery. For the first time in 20 years, its value dropped below that of the US dollar. Breaking out of the war, the resultant energy crisis, and the reluctance of the European Central Bank (ECB) to take...
World’s largest sovereign wealth fund has investments in 70 Israeli companies
The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest of its kind, revealed its portfolio holdings in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at the end of 2022. According to the filing, the fund had billions of dollars invested in 70...
Bank of Israel takes a hawkish stance, increasing interest rates by 0.50%
As was anticipated by some experts, the Bank of Israel raised the interest rate by 0.5% and not by 0.25% as was the consensus earlier last month. The official interest rate now stands at a fifteen-year high of 4.25%. The prime rate, which is relevant to the general...
Brain implant start-up enables mind control technology
Synchron, a startup company specializing in brain-computer interfaces, is currently developing a piece of technology that will revolutionize the people's lives who are paralyzed. Those with no or very limited physical mobility can control technology such as cursors...
Shekel continues to weaken against dollar
The shekel continues to fall in value against the major currencies. On Friday, February 17, the official shekel-dollar exchange rate was 0.791% higher than the previous day, at NIS 3.566/$, and 0.158% higher against the euro, at NIS 3.794/€. This is the weakest the...
Israel’s GDP expanded by 6.5% in 2022
According to today's release from the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel's GDP grew by 6.5% in 2022, exceeding the forecasts of both the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Israel. After a more modest expansion of 2.1% on an annualized basis in the third...
Israel’s inflation rate hits highest level in 20 years
The Central Bureau of Statistics of Israel reported this evening that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in January, which is above the market's expectation range of 0.1% and 0.2%. The CPI for the past 12 months has increased by 5.4%, making it the...