Israel’s benchmark TA 35 index fell 0.29% to close lower on Thursday, as declines in banking, financials and insurance sectors offset gains in energy and technology shares.
Advancing stocks trailed decliners by a narrow margin, with 225 gainers against 244 losers and 90 unchanged, according to Tel Aviv Stock Exchange data. The modest retreat extended a recent patch of volatility in the local market.
Among the index’s top performers, OPC Energy Ltd rose 2.84%, or 264 points, to 9,550. Nova added 2.39%, or 2,700 points, ending at 115,670, while Kenon Holdings gained 2.23%, or 430 points, to close at 19,710.
The sharpest declines were seen in Menora Miv Hld, which dropped 2.97%, or 1,450 points, to 47,450, followed by Mega Or with a 1.94% slide, or 890 points, to 44,910. First International Bank of Israel fell 1.64%, or 380 points, to 22,850.
Elsewhere in global markets, Brent crude for October delivery rose 1.81% to $93.28 per barrel, while U.S. crude for the same month climbed 2.04% to $86.11. December gold futures increased 0.45% to $4,565.65 per troy ounce. The dollar strengthened 0.83% against the shekel to 3.00, while the euro gained 0.90% to 3.50. The U.S. Dollar Index futures were little changed, down 0.02% at 98.72.
