Capital Market

Discount Bank reported a modest increase in net profit for 2024, reaching NIS 4.3 billion, up 2.1% from NIS 4.2 billion in 2023. However, the bank's return on equity (ROE) declined to 14.2%, compared to 15.7% in the previous year. Despite the slight dip in ROE, the bank posted solid results, driven by strong performance in the fourth quarter

Economists from Fitch, one of the world's top three credit rating agencies, visited Israel this week to meet with senior economic officials and express significant concern over the country’s political situation and the ongoing security escalation. According to one of the officials involved in the meetings, the Fitch representatives were "really worried and negatively surprised" by the current state of affairs. This has raised concerns that the agency may bring forward its report on Israel's credit rating, potentially issuing a warning of a downgrade if the situation doesn't improve

The International Monetary Fund updates the Israeli GDP growth forecast downwards - to 1.6%. This is the first official forecast of the fund after the outbreak of the war, when the forecast on the eve of the war was for growth of 3.1% in 2024

Israel's government deficit narrowed slightly in August, reaching 4.7% of GDP, or approximately NIS 98 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance. This marks a modest improvement from 4.8% in July and 5% in June

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) announced this evening (Monday) that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September fell by 0.6%, a sharper-than-expected drop that brings the annual inflation rate down to 2.5%. Analysts had forecast a more modest decline of only 0.3%. In comparison, the August index rose by 0.7%, with an annual inflation rate of 2.9%

The family of hostage-victim Eliyahu Margalit (nicknamed “Churchill”) from Kibbutz Nir Oz has been formally informed that his remains have been returned and positively identified by the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Israel’s sovereign credit rating at A and raised its outlook from “negative” to “stable,” citing reduced security risks following the ceasefire in the war in Gaza. The shift was widely expected by markets