Capital Market

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

Global banking powerhouse J.P. Morgan published two optimistic reports on Friday — one on Israel’s inflation outlook and another on its macroeconomic recovery — forecasting that Israel’s real GDP growth could reach as high as 11% in the third quarter of 2025, marking one of the strongest rebounds in recent years. While the bank’s official forecast predicts growth at a more conservative 7.5%, analysts note that “a positive surprise is likely,” as the economy rebounds rapidly from the disruptions earlier in the year

The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday published a draft order to double the tax exemption threshold on personal imports—from $75 to $150—a change expected to take effect within at least 21 days. According to the Tax Authority, the reform is projected to reduce state revenues by approximately NIS 1 billion per year

Israel’s government posted an unexpected improvement in its fiscal position: the 12-month deficit through November fell to 4.5% of GDP, a drop of 0.4 percentage points compared to the level recorded in October. The update comes as the government simultaneously approved an increase in the 2025 deficit ceiling to 5.2%, reflecting broader fiscal pressures

Around the world, nations bade farewell to 2025 and ushered in 2026 with fireworks, music, and the traditional midnight kiss—alongside widespread hopes for peace after another year marked by war and instability. Yet in many countries, celebrations unfolded under heavy security, and in Syria those fears materialized when a suicide attack killed a police officer during New Year’s festivities in Aleppo

Israel’s housing price index rose an unexpected 0.7% in October–November, ending eight consecutive months of decline, according to data released by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). On an annual basis, however, price growth remained muted. From November 2024 to November 2025, the housing price index edged up just 0.1%, underscoring continued weakness in the broader market

The State Commission of Inquiry into the Submarine Affair, headed by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, published its interim findings on Sunday, identifying deep systemic deficiencies in Israel’s defense procurement and security decision-making processes