Thursday, September 8, 2011

Bethel Finances:Israel ranked 22nd in global competitiveness

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranks Israel 22nd in its 2011-12 Global Competitive Report, up two places from last year, and up five places from 2009.

The WEF says that the report comes out amid multiple challenges to the global economy and a continuing shift in the balance of economic activity away from advanced economies and toward emerging markets. Policymakers are struggling to find ways to manage the present economic challenges while preparing their economies to perform well in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Switzerland again topped the rankings of 139 countries, followed by Singapore, which overtook Sweden to take second place. The US continues the decline it began three years ago, falling one more place to fifth place. Japan fell three places to ninth place. Western European countries took the remaining top ten positions, Finland (4th), Germany (6th), the Netherlands (7th), Denmark (8th), and the UK (10th).

The report states, "Israel's main strengths remain its world-class capacity for innovation (6th), which rests on highly innovative businesses that benefit from the presence of the world’s best research institutions, geared toward the needs of the business sector. The excellent innovation capacity, which is additionally supported by the government’s public procurement policies, is reflected in the country’s high number of patents (4th). Its favorable financial environment (10th), particularly the solid availability of venture capital (2nd), has further contributed to making Israel an innovation powerhouse; these elements have become stronger in the course of the past year."

The WEF warns, however, "Challenges to maintaining and improving national competitiveness relate to the need for continued upgrading of institutions (33rd) and a renewed focus on raising the bar in terms of the quality of education. If not addressed, poor educational outcomes, in particular in the area of math and science (79th), could undermine the country’s innovation-driven competitiveness strategy over the longer term. As in previous years, the security situation remains fragile and imposes a high cost on business (74th).

"Room for improvement also remains with respect to the macroeconomic environment (53rd), where increased budgetary discipline with a view to reducing debt levels would help the country maintain stability and support economic growth going into the future."

Bethel Finances: Average salary rose 8% in June

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The average gross national salary was NIS 9,124 in June 2011, 8% more than in May, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported today. However, the average salary fell by an annualized 0.3% in fixed prices in the second quarter, after falling by 0.9% in the first quarter.

In current prices, the rise in the average national salary slowed to 2.8% in the second quarter from 4.2% in the first quarter.

There were 3.05 million Israeli salaries employees in June, up from 2.98 million in April. The increase in salaried employees slowed to annualized 1.7% in the second quarter from 2.5% in the preceding quarter. There were 87,000 foreign workers in June, bringing the total number of salaries employees up to 3.18 million. The number of salaried workers rose by 1,500 during the second quarter.

The average salary of foreign workers was NIS 4,553 in June, dragging down the total average national salary to NIS 8,943.

Bethel Finances: Delek Real Estate bondholders postpone payment decision

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Sources inform ''Globes'' that Delek Real Estate Ltd. (TASE: DLKR) Series 5 bondholders have decided to postpone a decision on immediate repayment of the bond until September 18, giving controlling shareholder Yitzhak Tshuva a respite. The Series 5 bondholders are demanding that Tshuva provide equivalent guarantees to the ones that he provided the Series 25 bondholders.

The Series 5 bond is a long-term bond and the Series 25 bond is a short-term bond. The Series 5 bond is Delek Real Estate's largest debt, amounting to NIS 1.4 billion. The principle is due to be repaid in monthly installments in 2013-19 and the interest payments are repaid in two installments a year, in February and August. The company did not pay the interest payment due last month.

Meanwhile, Delek Real Estate is in talks to finalize the sale of Thsuva's 55% stake in the company to US private equity fund CIM Group Inc.. Under the letter of intent signed by the companies in August, CIM will inject NIS 500 million into Delek Real Estate in the form of a subordinate owners' loan. Tshuva has agreed to provide a NIS 100 million owners' loan.

Delek Real Estate's share price rose 3.7% in morning trading to NIS 0.195, giving a market cap of NIS 73 million.

Bethel Finances: Shekel weakens as markets wait for Obama

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The shekel is weakening slightly in morning inter-bank trading today. The shekel-dollar exchange rate is up 0.14% to NIS 3.678/$ and the shekel-euro exchange rate is up 0.13% to NIS 5.17/€.

Yesterday the Bank of Israel set the shekel-dollar representative exchange rate up 0.47% to NIS 3.673/$, and the shekel-euro representative exchange rate down 0.50% to NIS 5.164/€.

In international markets today, the dollar rose 0.24% against the euro to $1.406/€, and is trading at ¥77.37/$ against the Japanese yen.

Traders are waiting for US President Barack Obama to unveil his $300 billion jobs plan. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is scheduled to speak today about the Fed's options to support the economy.

Bethel Finances: Tel Aviv 25 down 6.1% on week

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The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) fell today. The Tel Aviv 25 Index fell 0.90% to 1,062.78 points, the Tel Aviv 100 Index fell 0.73% to 954.16 points, but the BlueTech 50 Index rose 0.68% to 245.47 points. Turnover was NIS 1.43 billion.

The Tel Aviv 25 Index fell 6.1% in a particularly volatile week that included a 9% drop over three consecutive days.

Israeli and global investors today listened to remarks by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, who kept the ECB interest rate unchanged at 1.5%. They are waiting to hear US President Barack Obama unveil his $300 billion jobs program and whether Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will announce new stimulus measures.

Meanwhile, Governor of the Bank of Israel Prof. Stanley Fischer said that he does not expect a global recession - at least for now.

In the foreign currency market, the shekel-dollar representative exchange rate rose 0.22% to NIS 3.681/$, and the shekel-euro representative exchange rate rose 0.17% to NIS 5.172/€.

In the bond market, long-term Shahar unlinked government bonds rose by up to 0.2%, and long-term Galil CPI-linked bonds ranged between losses of 0.1% and gains of 0.1%. The corporate bond benchmark Tel-Bond 20 Index fell 0.64%.

In the stock market, real estate company Gazit-Globe Ltd. (TASE: GLOB) fell 5.4% for the biggest loss among Tel Aviv 25 shares, without making any announcement.

Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) and Israel Chemicals Ltd. (TASE: ICL) broke their severe losing streak, rising 0.9% and 0.7%, respectively. Israel Chemicals had the day's biggest turnover, at NIS 144 million.

Delek Drilling LP (TASE: DEDR.L) rose 1.6% for the biggest gain among Tel Aviv 25 shares, and Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) rose 0.1%, but their parent company, Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG), fell 2.3%.

Banks continued to fall, and the Banking Index has lost 30% since the beginning of the year. Bank Hapoalim (TASE: POLI) fell 1.5%, Bank Leumi (TASE: LUMI) fell 0.6%, Israel Discount Bank (TASE: DSCT) fell 1.2%, and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank (TASE:MZTF) fell 1.4%.

Bethel Finances: Drahi halves Mirs price

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Sources inform ''Globes'' that HOT Telecommunication Systems Ltd. (TASE: HOT) controlling shareholder Patrick Drahi has offered a new format for its acquisition of his company Mirs Communications Ltd. - halving his original NIS 1.3 billion asking price. HOT's general shareholders meeting to approve the controversial deal has been rescheduled and will take place within two weeks.

Institutional investors in HOT oppose its acquisition of Mirs on the grounds of the exorbitant asking price, double what Drahi paid for the company when he bought it from Motorola last year. Drahi is now asking an initial NIS 500 million for Mirs (NIS 750 million net of Mirs' debts) - similar to the price he paid for it.

Drahi is eligible for additional payments, subject to HOT meeting earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) milestones over the next few years and Mirs's market share. He has sent the new proposal to the institutional investors' advisor, Entropy Consultants Ltd., which will suggest how they should vote.

HOT attributed the difference between Drahi's asking price for Mirs and the price he paid for it to the company's win in the Ministry of Communications mobile carriers tender earlier this year. HOT commissioned TASC Strategic Consulting Ltd. to value Mirs for the merger, and it set a company value of NIS 1.05 billion.

However, an independent consultant, David Solomon's DS Analysts Ltd., estimated Mirs' fair value at just NIS 450-500 million.

HOT's institutional investors told the company's chairwoman Stella Handler that they demanded a reduction in price for Mirs and the setting of milestones for payment.

Capital market analysts were astonished at Drahi's asking price for Mirs following TASC's valuation in July. DS Apex VP research Eran Jacobi said that the price was crazy and questioned the valuation's assumptions. Migdal Capital Markets analyst Amir Adar advised that the deal should only be approved if the price was cut to NIS 813 million and payment was based on milestones.

HOT's shareholders will meet on September 19 to vote on the Mirs acquisition. As a party at interest, Drahi cannot vote. A majority of disinterested shareholders must vote in favor, or, alternatively, the number of opponents among disinterested shareholders must not exceed 2%.

Drahi owns 51.7% of HOT through Cool Holdings Ltd. and he owns 100% of Mirs. Other HOT shareholders include Yediot Communications Ltd. (16.5%) and Fishman Holdings (6.5%). Drahi has an agreement to buy Yediot's stake for NIS 650 million, which may mean that Yediot will be considered a party at interest for the purposes of the Mirs vote.

This means that HOT's institutional investors have added weight in the shareholders' vote, even though none of them has a substantial holding in the company. Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services Ltd. (TASE: HARL) and Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (TASE: CLIS) are two of these investors.

HOT's share price rose 2.4% to NSI 46.09 today, giving a market cap of NIS 3.5 billion.

Bethel Finances: Noble Energy to ignore Turkish threats on Cyprus

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Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) says that it will push ahead with its Cypriot offshore exploratory well at Block 12, in spite of warnings from Turkey not to do so. Block 12 adjoins Israel's Leviathan field.

The "Cyprus Mail" says Cyprus is stuck between a rock and a hard place in the Turkish-Israeli dispute. If President Demetris Christofias chooses to push ahead with drilling, he is essentially calling Turkey’s bluff. Failure to do so effectively acknowledges Turkey’s dominion over the island.

"Cyprus Mail" says that the heightened tension between Israel and Turkey comes on the back of repeated warnings by Turkish officials against Cyprus drilling in its exclusive economic zone. While some commentators believe the feud with Israel may be used as a pretext to build up naval patrols in seas between Israel and Cyprus, at a time when both latter countries are discussing collaboration on the extraction and distribution of hydrocarbon deposits in their respective marine zones, the paper says that current diplomatic thinking in the region is that Turkey has more important issues to contend with than create serious problems for the island.

Energy Service head Solon Kassinis told the "Cyprus Mail" that he expects drilling to start before October 1. Noble Energy will use the Homer Ferrington rig currently drilling in the Noa field offshore from Ashkelon in Israel’s exclusive economic zone.

Kassinis said, “I expected Turkey to bark but I don’t think they will do anything because what we’ve done is based on international law, and if they want to be considered a country that respects international law, when it has a network of (oil and gas) pipe lines, charging transit fees, how can it?"

Kassinis added that any fears from Noble Energy have been assuaged by the US Embassy in Nicosia which has told the company to go ahead and expedite the exploration process.

Bethel Finances: I'll cut defense budget

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"I'll demand a NIS 2-3 billion cut in the defense budget. We'll use the money for social purposes," Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz told Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot" in an interview, lowering expectations about the Trajtenberg team's recommendations, which are due to be submitted later this month.

Asked if he would divert budgets from settlers and haredim (ultra-orthodox) for social purposes, Steinitz said, "No and no. We've invested heavily in the settlements in the past, but these investments stopped in the past two years. Today, the settlers are discriminated against to some degree. That's even more true for the haredim. Every penny invested in job encouragement for the haredim promotes social justice."

Steinitz added that he would not apply differential VAT levels for different goods and services.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Bethel Finances: Tax revenues up 3% in August

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Tax revenues totaled NIS 16.6 billion in August 2011, 3% more in real terms than in August 2010, the Ministry of Finance announced today. However, tax revenues in January-August were NIS 370 million below target.

Land taxes totaled NIS 699 million in August, 0.9% more than in the August of last year, due to a 14.8% jump in betterment tax revenues, which was partly offset by a 9.1% drop in purchase tax revenues on real estate transactions.

Fuel excise revenues fell 8.8% to NIS 1.13 billion in August from NIS 1.3 billion in August 2010. The Ministry of Finance cut the excise on gasoline in August to prevent a price hike.

Capital market tax revenue totaled NIS 163 million in August, 7.5% more than in August last year.

Bethel Finances: Average family net income rises to NIS 12,020

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The average net household income was NIS 12,020 in 2010, 3.1% more in real terms than in 2009, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported today. Average gross household income rose 3.2% to NIS 14,385.

On Monday, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the average Israeli household spent NIS 13,496 a month in 2010, 1% more than in 2009.

The top 20% of households accounted for 40% of total household net income, while the bottom 20% accounted for 6%. The middle 60% accounted for the rest - a level unchanged for the past 14 years.

Israel's Gini coefficient, which measures inequality, was 0.384, above the OECD average of 0.31. The Gini coefficient declined from 0.389 in 2009, but was well above the 0.353 in 2000. Israel's Gini coefficient in 2010 was the same as in the US

77.1% of household income came from labor (NIS 11.093), and 11.3% (NIS 1,630) from pensions and other state sources of support.

Average gross salary was NIS 8,100 in 2010; the average gross salary of men was NIS 9,720, and average gross salary of women was NIS 6,389 - 66% of men's salaries. The salary gap narrowed by three percentage points in 2009-10.

Bethel Finances: Israel's foreign currency reserves edge up to record $78b

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Israel's foreign currency reserves reached an all-time high of $78.08 billion at the end of August, $135 million more than a month earlier, the Bank of Israel announced today.

The increase was due to an upward revaluation of the reserves by $392 million, which was partly offset by $122 million in private sector transactions and government transfers abroad of $135 million.

Israel's foreign currency reserves have risen by $7.17 billion from $70.91 billion at the end of 2010 - an increase of over 10% - and by $17.47 billion from $60.61 billion at the end of 2009.

Bethel Finances: Tel Aviv municipality dismantles encampments

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The Tel Aviv municipality began early this morning clearing empty tents on Rothschild and Nordau Boulevards, in what seems to be the beginning of the end of the famous tent boulevard of the last two months. Drug addicts reportedly attacked Tel Aviv municipality workers with sticks on Rothschild Boulevard.

Yisrael Sakal, one of the Nordau Boulevard encampment residents, told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal), "At 5:30 this morning, three Tel Aviv municipality trucks arrived and began taking apart tents on the edge of the encampment. They had no warrant and they came like thieves in the night and took it all to Hiria (garbage center). We used our bodies to stop the third truck, and unloaded everything from the truck."

Were the tents full of peoples' possessions?

"The tents that were taken were lived in some of the time, but were all full of personal belongings. I don't understand how this is possible after the municipality yesterday hung up flyers with pretty flowers saying that they support the protest."

The municipality claims that it only took empty tents in an effort to clean up the boulevard.

"Even tents that had valuable personal possessions in them were cleared away. At 4:30 pm we will hold a protest in front of the municipality building.

The municipality claims that this protest has fulfilled its aims.

"We decided ourselves at the beginning of the week to halve the size of the encampment, but now we plan on having a nationwide conference at the Kibbutz seminar center to plan the next stage of the protest."

At this point, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai joined the conversation: "The tents as a form of protest have realized their aims. There is a need to clean the streets and return them to their previous condition. We have rats and other problems, and we have received many complaints from residents. This was not a unilateral move: there was no promise of an agreed-upon removal date, and we are keeping our city clean just as every city should. Public areas should not be taken over in this way."

Bethel Finances: Shekel continues to slide against dollar

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The shekel continued to slide against the dollar in inter-bank foreign currency trading this afternoon due to concerns over the escalating diplomatic crisis between Israel and Turkey. Yesterday Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that he was suspending trade relations between Turkey and Israeli government bodies.

The shekel dollar exchange rate rose 0.48% this afternoon to NIS 3.673/$ but the shekel euro rate fell 0.55% NIS 5.161/€.

Yesterday, the Bank of Israel set the shekel-dollar representative exchange rate up 0.63% to NIS 3./656$, and the shekel-euro representative exchange rate up 1.11% to NIS 5.19/€.

In addition to regional tensions, uncertainty in North America and Europe continues to spook international markets and cause volatility. Yesterday, the Swiss central bank decided to take action over the strengthening of the Swiss franc against the euro by fixing an upper limit for the exchange rate with the euro. As a result the Swiss franc lost 8% against the euro and yesterday the Bank of Israel set the shekel Swiss franc representative rate down 6.64% to NIS 4.314/CHF.

Bethel Finances: Survey finds big potential in Gabriella, Yitzhak

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Adira Energy Corporation (XETRA: AORLB8; TSX: ADL; Bulletin Board: ADENF) has announced that the shallow water Gabriella and Yitzhak licenses have a best estimate of 4.54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 297 million barrels of oil.

Adira, a Canadian company, owns 30% of the Gabriella license and 85% of the Yitzhak license. Modiin Energy LP (TASE:MDIN.L), controlled by Tzahi Sultan and Nochi Dankner, owns 70% of Gabriella.

The estimates were made by Gustavson Associates LLC based on its assessment of the 3D seismic survey of the two licenses.

The Gabriella license covers 270 square kilometers and Yitzhak license covers 127.7 square kilometers. The licenses are located 10 kilometers offshore, along a strip between Ashdod and Netanya, in water that is 60-250 meters deep. The best estimate for Gabriella is 3.56 trillion cubic feet of gas and 277 million barrels of oil.

The best estimate for Yitzhak is 980 billion cubic feet of gas and 20.4 million barrels of oil.

CGG Veritas is conducting the full and final processing of the findings, and will announce the results in December. For the sake of comparison, Tamar has 8 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Modiin's share price rose 12.9% to NIS 0.035, giving a market cap of NIS 610 million

Bethel Finances: Tnuva in price talks with dairy farmers

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Tnuva Food Industries Ltd. has decided not to wait for the Kedmi committee's recommendations to be implemented, and has initiated its own move to lower dairy prices. Sources inform ''Globes'' that, a few weeks ago, the company opened talks with dairy farmers to lower the price of raw milk they sell to it, as part of a general move in which Tnuva will lower prices to retailers and thus to consumers.

Under the proposed plan, dairy farmers will agree to lowering the price of raw milk by a few agorot per liter in exchange for double-digit reductions for several products. The proposal will reportedly cost Tnuva tens of millions of shekels a year.

The products in question include yellow cheeses, white cheeses, yogurt, and puddings.

The Kedmi committee recommends cutting the price of raw milk by NIS 0.05-0.06 per liter and opening the dairy market to imports. Dairy farmers strongly oppose both recommendations, but it seems that they, too, realize that the current situation cannot continue and a practical solution for consumers has to be proposed.

"Globes": Prices on which products will be reduced?

Israel Cattle Breeders Association chairman Yaakov Bachar: "We will mark the products that a survey shows that the poor consume the most, and we will demand substantial reductions for these products."

The Cattle Breeders Association is furious at Tnuva, which has applied for a cheese import permit. "We've asked Tnuva to withdraw from imports so we can hold talks with clean hands. Being number one carries a responsibility, and Tnuva is number one in the dairy industry.

"Tnuva's imports application is not merely pissing from the diving board; it's the lifeguard pissing from the diving board. We'll go the negotiating table with Tnuva on Sunday, but we won't stay silent for long about Tnuva engaging in imports," said Bachar.

Tnuva declined to comment on the report.

Last night, the Tel Aviv University Students Union called for a boycott of Tnuva until the Jewish holidays. Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) begins on September 28.

Bethel Finances: Israel ranked 22nd in global competitiveness

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranks Israel 22nd in its 2011-12 Global Competitive Report, up two places from last year, and up five places from 2009.

The WEF says that the report comes out amid multiple challenges to the global economy and a continuing shift in the balance of economic activity away from advanced economies and toward emerging markets. Policymakers are struggling to find ways to manage the present economic challenges while preparing their economies to perform well in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Switzerland again topped the rankings of 139 countries, followed by Singapore, which overtook Sweden to take second place. The US continues the decline it began three years ago, falling one more place to fifth place. Japan fell three places to ninth place. Western European countries took the remaining top ten positions, Finland (4th), Germany (6th), the Netherlands (7th), Denmark (8th), and the UK (10th).

The report states, "Israel's main strengths remain its world-class capacity for innovation (6th), which rests on highly innovative businesses that benefit from the presence of the world’s best research institutions, geared toward the needs of the business sector. The excellent innovation capacity, which is additionally supported by the government’s public procurement policies, is reflected in the country’s high number of patents (4th). Its favorable financial environment (10th), particularly the solid availability of venture capital (2nd), has further contributed to making Israel an innovation powerhouse; these elements have become stronger in the course of the past year."

The WEF warns, however, "Challenges to maintaining and improving national competitiveness relate to the need for continued upgrading of institutions (33rd) and a renewed focus on raising the bar in terms of the quality of education. If not addressed, poor educational outcomes, in particular in the area of math and science (79th), could undermine the country’s innovation-driven competitiveness strategy over the longer term. As in previous years, the security situation remains fragile and imposes a high cost on business (74th).

"Room for improvement also remains with respect to the macroeconomic environment (53rd), where increased budgetary discipline with a view to reducing debt levels would help the country maintain stability and support economic growth going into the future."

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Bethel Finances:Regulator mulls declaring Delek a gas exploration monopoly

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The Antitrust Authority today announced that it considering declaring Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) units a monopoly in natural gas exploration. The announcement follows a review of several months into the operations of Delek Group holding company Delek Investments and Properties Ltd. and its units Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) and Delek Drilling LP (TASE: DEDR.L) and their partner Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) unit Noble Energy Mediterranean Inc.

Avner and Delek Drilling are partners in Ashkelon and Noa reserves, which constitute Yam Tethys, the sole Israeli supplier of natural gas. They are also partners in the Tamar, Dalit, Leviathan, and other licenses.

The Antitrust Authority notified the Tamar and Dalit partners - Noble Energy, Delek Drilling, Avner, Isramco Ltd. (Nasdaq: ISRL; TASE: ISRA.L), and Alon Natural Gas Exploration Ltd. (TASE: ALGS) that it was considering declaring them a natural gas supply monopoly when Tamar comes on line in the second half of 2013.

Beginning in 2013, Tamar and Dalit are due to supply more than half of Israel's natural gas needs, and the partners are currently in talks on long-term gas supply contracts from the reservoirs.

The Antitrust Authority also announced that it was considering declaring Leviathan partners Noble Energy, Delek Drilling, Avner, and Ratio Oil Exploration (1992) LP (TASE:RATI.L) as a cartel because of their Ratio Yam provisional permit, which includes the Leviathan gas reservoir. Ratio was the sole owner of the Ratio Yam provisional permit until 2007, when Noble Energy, Delek Drilling, and Avner bought into it even as they owned other oil and gas assets. These holdings allegedly constitute a cartel without approval from the Antitrust Authority.

The Antitrust Authority has summoned the companies to a hearing to hear their arguments and responses.

Several weeks ago, the Antitrust Authority notified several oil and gas exploration companies, including Noble Energy, Delek Group, Modiin Energy LP (TASE:MDIN.L), and Israel Land Development Company Energy Ltd. (TASE: IE) that several pending arrangements between them were liable to be considered as restraint of trade, which would require approval by the Antitrust Authority.

Delek Group's share price fell 7.6% by mid-afternoon to NIS 551.80, Avner's share price fell 5.2% to NIS 1.70, Delek Drilling's share price fell 5.4% to NIS 9.60, Isramco's share price fell 5% to NIS 0.358, and Ratio's share price fell 6.7% to NIS 0.318.

Bethel Finances: Turkey suspends trade ties with Israeli gov't bodies

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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has no intention of cooling tensions with Israel. After expelling Israel's ambassador to Ankara, and suspending military agreements, he has said that he intends to impose more sanctions against Israel, which he claims is acting like the spoiled child of the Middle East.

In an interview with the Turkish media, Erdogan said, "Trade relations, military relations, defense industry - these we will suspend. These will be completely frozen and that process will be followed also by very different sanctions." He subsequently qualified this statement and said he was only relating to trade with Israeli government bodies.He added that Turkey would increase its naval activity in the eastern Mediterranean.

Commenting on media reports about his planned visit to Gaza next week, Erdogan said that he still considering whether to visit Gaza, and that it depended on talks with Egypt. A visit to Gaza would break Israel's blockade. Erdogan has previously said that he wants to visit Gaza, but the trip was postponed indefinitely. He apparently now wants to keep his promise in view of the diplomatic crisis with Israel and the pending UN General Assembly declaration of a Palestinian state.

Bethel Finances: Turkey threatens naval action if Cyprus drills

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The Cypriot media reports that Turkey is threatening to attack Cyprus if it allows drilling of an offshore exploratory well at Block 12. Greece has already responded by telling Turkey to "act responsibly". Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004.

Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) is due to begin drilling at Block 12 by the end of September under the terms of its 2008 concession from the Cypriot government. Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG), controlled by Yitzhak Tshuva, has an option to acquire 30% of the concession. The two companies are also partners in Tamar, Leviathan, and other Israeli offshore licenses.

Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis told Turkish media that when explorations were made in the past, ships from the Turkish Military Fleet were quick to make their way to the area. “It is for this reason that we built our army and trained our soldiers,” said Bagis, claiming that “it is illegal to explore waters that do not belong to them."

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, after a military coup on the island, and subsequently set up the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, which controls 37% of the island, but is recognized by no one except for Ankara.

In December 2010, Turkey reacted furiously after Israel and Cyprus signed an agreement demarcating the border of their maritime exclusive economic zones. Leviathan is on the Israeli side of the border and Block 12 is on the Cypriot side. Cyprus's Ambassador told "Globes" that he appreciated Israel's refusal to be deterred by Turkey's warnings.

Bethel Finances: Apax offers up to NIS 795m for Tnuva stake

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Apax Partners Israel, run by CEO Zehavit Cohen, has offered Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd. (TASE:MISH) two options for buying out its 20.7% stake in Tnuva Food Industries Ltd. According to Mivtach Shamir's notice to the TASE, Apax is offering NIS 680 million in cash, if Mivtach Shamir transfers the holding by December 29.

Alternatively, Apax is offering NIS 725 million, of which NIS 70 million will be deposited with a trustee until August 31, 2013. The amount from the escrow that Apax will pay will depend on a percentage of the growth Tnuva's cumulative net profit in 2011-12, net one-time gains and expenses, on the basis of an upside formula. If Tnuva's growth is less than 10% over this period, the amount in the escrow will revert to Apax; if Tnuva's growth is more than 10%, the amount in the escrow will be paid to Mivtach Shamir plus an additional NIS 70 million for a total of NIS 795 million.

Mivtach Shamir, controlled by chairman Meir Shamir, is asking for NIS 775-800 million for its Tnuva holding.

Apax's offers are subject to three conditions: notification by September 15 by Mivtach Shamir about which alternative it chooses; signing a detailed agreement by September 22; and obtaining regulatory approval for the deal by September 15.

Mivtach Shamir said that it was studying the offer.

The TASE has suspended trading in Mivtach Shamir's share, because the company has not published its financial results, because Apax will not allow disclosure of Tnuva's results.

Bethel Finances: Shekel dollar rate reaches six month high

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After reaching a six month high against the dollar yesterday, the shekel continued to weaken against the US currency in inter-bank trading today. The shekel-dollar exchange rate is up 0.27% at NIS 3.643/$. The shekel-euro exchange rate is up 0.73% at NIS 5.168/€.

The shekel has weakened by 7% against the dollar over the past six weeks.

In international markets, the dollar and the Japanese Yen are strengthening against the euro for the sixth consecutive business day, mainly as a result of concerns about the deep debt crisis in Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party lost in local elections in her home state, which clearly shows the German public's dissatisfaction with Germany's involvement in the Euro rescue program.

The significance for markets is clear: the possible separation of Germany from what is happening in Europe would almost certainly mean insolvency for some or all of the PIGS countries (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain). Deutsche Bank CEO and President Josef Ackerman said that current conditions remind him of the end of 2008 - and pressured European authorities to take steps to prevent another economic crisis.

"Everything around us is noisy and turbulent and I have no doubt that the crisis with Turkey has negatively affected the shekel," Bank of Jerusalem foreign currency dealing room manager Eitan Admoni told "Globes." "There is also the issue of the social protest and concern over reopening the budget. Add to this the global economic slowdown which will also reach Israel, and the expectation that interest rates in Israel will not only not rise over the next few months, but will fall - all of this affects the foreign currency market. Today, a scenario of NIS 3.3/$, which is what was expected until a few weeks ago, seems reasonable.

"The dollar surpassed the rate of NIS 3.63/$, which was a clear resistance level. If it surpasses NIS 3.68/$ we will also see it reach NIS 3.73/$Even if the dollar begins weakening globally, the regional and internal problems that we have here will continue to affect the dollar-shekel rate, but less. In two days time, President Obama will give a speech. If he delivers good news that will affect the economy, this could raise global stock markets and weaken the dollar, however this will only slow down the shekel's rate of depreciation against the dollar, and not reverse the trend. The main trend at the moment: the weakening of the shekel."

Bethel Finances: Turkey to break off ties with Israel - report

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"Maariv" correspondent Ben Caspit reports this morning that in closed discussions by the inner cabinet of eight senior ministers, the opinion was voiced that Turkey is deliberately attempting to deepen the crisis with Israel, in order to enhance its status as a regional Islamic power, and its strategy is to break off diplomatic relations with Israel.

The claim was voiced by those senior ministers who are opposed to apologizing to Turkey over the Marmara flotilla incident in May 2010. According to these ministers, the crisis began in 2008 when Ehud Olmert was prime minister and he visited Ankara. Olmert told the Turks that he planned opening direct talks with Syria's President Hafez el-Assad but on returning to Israel he launched Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, and this infuriated the Turks.

Since then, these senior cabinet ministers claim, Ankara has done everything in its power to distance itself from Israel while attempting to consolidate its status as a regional power in the Middle East.

On the other hand, there were those in the inner-cabinet discussions who spoke out in favor of apologizing to Turkey. These cabinet ministers who support an apology say there is no point in playing games and standing on dignity when it is possible that an apology could restore Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an ally - an important step ahead of the expected unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestinians.

Bethel Finances: Average Israeli family spends NIS 13,500 monthly

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Figures published today by the Central Bureau of Statistics on household spending in 2010 show a grim picture of rising prices. The average Israeli household spent NIS 13,496 a month in 2010, 1% more than in 2009.

35% of household spending was on housing and home maintenance. Among consumer items, spending on clothing and footwear rose the most, while spending on education, culture, and entertainment fell the most.

As for the issues at the center of the current social protest - housing and food - these items accounted for half of household expenditure by the bottom fifth of households, 43% of household expenditure by the middle fifth of households, and one third of household expenditure by the top fifth of households.

Household expenditure on communications and transport by the top fifth of households was 4.5 times the expenditure by the bottom fifth, and expenditure on health was triple the expenditure by the bottom fifth.

77% of households had at least one computer, and 28% had two or more computers. 68% of households have Internet access. There were 73 computer for every100 people in the top 10% of households, compared with 16 computer for every 100 people in the bottom 10%.

Bethel Finances: Home prices down in August, rents up

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The residential real estate market was at a standstill in August 2011. August is in any case a traditionally slow month for sales. This year, it was also a month of social protest, government committees and declarations, which raised hopes that prices would fall, causing people to delay purchase decisions.

Even so, anyone who believed that there would be a collapse in price of homes in areas of high demand must be disappointed so far. Data from the Homeless classified ads website show that sellers apparently decided not to try to attract at any price the few buyers seeking bargains in the market.

Prices for four-room apartments in Tel Aviv were stable. While the average price for a three-room apartment fell 2.4% in August, it was still a whopping NIS 2.14 million, double the price of an equivalent apartment in Petah Tikva or Rishon LeZion. The average price of a five-room apartment rose 2.3% in August to again cross the psychological level of NIS 3 million.

However, the general downward trend continues for both small and large apartments, indicating that consumer sentiment has changed. The supply of apartments on classified ad websites also continues to climb, indicating that a growing number of apartment owners are putting properties up for sale now, even if they are not yet ready to sell at any price.

In August, prices for all categories of apartments rose in only two areas: Ramat Gan-Givatayim, which retained the substantial difference compared with Tel Aviv; and in Jerusalem, where the tourist season was at its height, and some sellers may be dreaming of a rich American falling in love with their apartment and buy it at any price.

Factors dissuading homeowners and investors from selling their apartments included rising rents and talk of interest rate cuts, which will lower mortgage costs. Average rents in Tel Aviv rose 1.9% for a three-room apartment and 2.3% for a four-room apartment, but remained unchanged for a five-room apartment, despite protests by many tenants.

The rise in rents generally also raised the gross yield on rental apartments to 3-4% in most of the country, while the Israeli and foreign capital markets do not offer a particularly tempting alternative for investment of savings.

Methodology

In contrast to other online classified ad sites, Homeless charges for all ads it airs, which makes sellers quite prices in accordance with their real expectations and avoids freeloaders. The index gives two figures: the asking price of the apartment, and the average rental yield in each area.

The listed rent is the gross rent. For a month without a tenant, maintenance expenses, taxes (assuming that the rent is more than NIS 4,500 a month), and other costs deduct about 10% on average.

The index displays the yield per apartment - the price of the apartment divided by the rent. Even if there are distortions in listed prices for sale or rent, they should offset each other if they are both in the numerator and the denominator.

Bethel Finances:Israelis held for questioning at Istanbul Airport

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“IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) reports that about 40 Israelis who arrived at Istanbul Ataturk Airport this morning were detained for questioning by the authorities. The Israelis, passengers on a Turkish Airlines flight from Ben Gurion Airport, were separated from the other passengers, their passports were taken, and they were questioned for about 90 minutes. Most of the Israeli passengers were businesspeople.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response that the Turkish government was unaware of the incident.

The Turkish media report that Turkish tourists who arrived in Israel yesterday were detained and questioned, but the reports have no official confirmation.

Israeli-Turkish relations have sharply deteriorated following the publication of the UN Palmer report on Friday. The report says that Israel's blockade on Gaza is legitimate, but that Israel used excessive force in taking over the Mavi Marmara ship that was trying to break the blockade. Turkey subsequently expelled Israel's ambassador in Ankara, suspended all military agreements, and threatened to increase its naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean.

Bethel Finances: Shekel-dollar rate tops 3.60

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The shekel has weakened in inter-bank trading today. The shekel-dollar exchange rate is up 1.05% at NIS 3.622/$ and the shekel-euro exchange rate is up 0.44% at NIS 5.122/€. The shekel has weakened 6.5% against the dollar since the end of July.

In international markets, the dollar is strengthening against the euro for the fifth consecutive business day.

On Friday, the Bank of Israel set the shekel-dollar representative exchange rate at NIS 3.584/$, up 0.28% on the day before, and set the shekel-euro representative exchange rate at NIS 5.099/€, down 0.13%.

USG analysts Eli Ben-David and Shay Zakhaim say that Israeli and foreign investors will continue to monitor the debt crises in Europe and in the US, and that trading will continue to be very volatile in international markets, because of negative sentiment and uncertainty about another quantitative easing plan in the US. The Federal Reserve will only make a decision at its meeting on September 20-21, on the basis of the slowdown in the global and US economies.

Ben-David and Zakhaim say that the Bank of Israel will not raise the interest rate through the end of the year, because of the negative U-turn in Israel and expectations of further declines in inflation and economic growth.

Prico CEO Yossi Frieman says, "What we saw yesterday and today on the TASE is just the warm-up for what is liable to happen in the foreign exchange market. This is only the start of a potential depreciation of the shekel against the dollar. If investors see that the budget framework is going to be breached and that Israel's debt-to-GDP ratio worsens because of the social protest, there is a real risk of a downgrade of Israel's sovereign debt. Later, the foreign currency supply that we've gotten used to will vanish as fast as they came. With fewer sellers of dollars, the shekel could return to NIS 4/$ or higher."

Bethel Finances:Israelis believe trade with Turkey will continue

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The strained tensions in Israeli-Turkish relations since mid-2010 have not disrupted routine business between the two countries. The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute reports that bilateral trade actually increased to $1.1 billion in Israeli exports to Turkey January-July, while Turkish exports to Israel rose to $1.25 billion, giving the Turks the better end of the bargain.

Israel imported $1.8 billion of goods from Turkey in 2010, and exported $1.3 billion to it. "Turkey was an important trading partner in January-July, ranked seventh in the Export Institute's table of export destinations," says Export Institute director Avi Hefetz. "The interest to maintain bilateral economic relations is mutual. From the Turkish perspective, it should be remembered that exports to Israel are larger than imports from it. We assume that Turkish businessmen will want to keep trade relations with us, and hope that political factors on the Turkish side will allow business as usual to continue."

The current crisis is over Israel's refusal to apologize for the deaths of nine Turks when Israel intercepted the Mavi Marmara, which was trying to break the Gaza blockade in May 2010. The tensions increased the uncertainty among Israeli and Turkish businesspeople, who worry that the diplomatic crisis will widen and affect bilateral business ties. Privately, they say talk about good relations developed over many years, and they cite the increase in trade in recent months, despite the diplomatic problems.

An Israeli who does business in Turkey said, "Most Turkish businesspeople are educated and have a Western outlook, so I believe that bilateral economic cooperation will not be affected." However, he worries that the strained relations will affect new projects. He believes that this could happen if Israeli businesspeople refrain from making new investments in Turkey because of the diplomatic uncertainty.

Manufacturers Association president Shraga Brosh told "Globes", "My gut feeling is that everything will ultimately work out. Bilateral trade won't be hurt, despite the diplomatic crisis. Trade has actually increased over the past year. These relations are important for us and them, both sides see them as strategic."

70% of Israeli exports to Turkey are chemicals and refined oil products. Other exports include machinery, metals, and wood, furniture, and paper products.

There have been no new arms contracts between Israel and Turkey since the Mavi Marmara incident, after many deals between Israeli defense companies and the Turkish Army. Sources inform ''Globes'' that most current arms activity with Turkey involves the completion of contracts signed before the diplomatic crisis. In the past year, the Ministry of Defense, worried about the closing of the Turkish market to Israeli products, has sought to develop alternative markets, including India, Brazil, Singapore, Vietnam, and other countries.

Bethel Finances: Israelis bought 16,400 Turkish-made cars this year

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Israelis bought 16,400 Turkish-made cars in January-August 2011, worth an estimated NIS 1.64 billion. Many Israelis are unaware that many Japanese, Korean, and European car models are actually built in Turkey. These cars account for 10.1% of all car and commercial vehicles sales in Israel, and Israel is one of the Turkish car industry's main export markets.

Turkish-built models in Israel are the Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Verso, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai I20, Renault Cleo, Renault Fluence and Fluence ZE (the electric for Better Place LLC), Citroen Berlingo van, Fiat Doblo truck, and Ford Connect transit van.

The drop in private consumption, upheaval on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), and security incidents, did not affect car sales in August. 19,932 new vehicles were delivered in August, 7% more than in August 2010. 162,302 new vehicles were delivered in January-August, 14% more than in the corresponding months of last year, and sales are heading for an all-time annual high.

Three of the top five brands in Israel are Korean, because prices are listed in dollars. Hyundai is the top-seller, with 23,330 deliveries in January-August, up 18.3% on the corresponding months. Mazda, whose prices are listed in yen, which is appreciating strongly, is in second place, with 17,286 deliveries in January-August, down 18% compared with the corresponding months. Toyota is in third place with 14,145 deliveries, down 3%; Kia Motors is in fourth place with 10,810 deliveries, up 101%; and Chevrolet is in fifth place with 10,425 deliveries, up 50%.

Bethel Finances: Turkish official: Israel Navy's bullying is over

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Turkish daily "Hürriyet Daily News" quotes a Turkish official as saying that the eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their “bullying” practices against civilian vessels. He said that this would be the outcome of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s statement, “Turkey would take every precaution it deems necessary for the safety of maritime navigation in the eastern Mediterranean.”

"Hürriyet" added that Davutoğlu’s statement would likely spark a new face-off between Turkey and Israel, the region’s strongest armies, in the eastern Mediterranean. A potential confrontation between the two countries’ navies would have serious negative consequences for regional stability.

Turkish diplomats told the "Hürriyet" that the Turkish Navy would be more visible in the eastern Mediterranean through regular patrolling in international waters. “A more aggressive strategy will be pursued. Israel will no longer be able to exercise its bullying practices freely,” one said. The sources added that the use of Turkish naval vessels to escort ships carrying aid to Palestine and observing free navigation in the zone between Cyprus and Israel were among the plans set to be implemented, and that Turkish warships would be more frequently seen in the area.

"Hürriyet" notes that the zone described by Turkish sources has been the subject of a recent diplomatic struggle between Turkey and Greek Cyprus over the latter’s project to start drilling natural gas reserves. Greek Cyprus and Israel recently agreed to jointly initiate the drilling with the participation of some American companies. Turkey sees Cyprus's gas exploration deal as an agreement between two countries hostile to it, and has urged both parties not to get involved in such a project before a solution is found to the Cyprus issue in order to preserve the stability of the eastern Mediterranean.

The reference is to Block 12, Cyprus's offshore natural gas concession awarded to Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL). The company's partners in Leviathan and Tamar, Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG), has an option to acquire 30% of the concession.

In an interview with "Sunday's Zaman", EU Minister Egemen Bağış hinted that Turkish Navy could intervene if Greek Cyprus does not call off the project, schedule to begin on October 1. “That’s what a navy is for,” he said.

Bethel Finances: Shufersal launches new line of heavily discounted products

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Shufersal Ltd.'s (TASE:SAE) plan for coping with the social protest has been revealed. The chain has announced today its launching of 80 non-brand products, to be sold at 40-50% less than leading brands in each category.

Shufersal had turned to manufacturers local and worldwide, and has reached agreements with a number of the local manufacturers.

Some of the local manufacturers that will manufacture products for Shufersal include Rejwan, Galil Chemicals, Achva, Pri Vita, Pri Nir, Super Drink, Hacormim Winecellers, and Hay Paper Industries. In the first stage, the chain will launch two reduced price lines: cleaning products and toiletries. The chain will launch reduced price food products during the second stage.

It seems that during mediation meetings in Tel Aviv between Shufersal and Student Union representatives, who initiated the boycott against the chain, Shufersal CEO and President Efraim Rosenhaus suggested to the students that the chain launch a reduced price line of products. The students rejected the suggestion.

"We requested a reduction in prices, and Shufersal offered us a reduction in quality," Student Union Chairman Ran Livneh said.

Shufersal said that the products will come on the market within four months. The initial products will be bleach, dishwashing liquid, laundry softener, floor cleaner and laundry detergent.

Bethel Finances: Dankner to transfer HSBC New York HQ between units

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Nochi Dankner will transfer the 50% stake held in US headquarters of HSBC bank in Manhattan by Koor Industries Ltd. (TASE:KOR) to Property and Building Ltd. (TASE: PTBL) for $138 million. CB Richard Ellis values the property at $480 million.

The 863,000-square foot complex comprises three buildings, including a 29-storey high-rise at 452 Fifth Avenue in Midtown. Koor and Property and Building bought the property in equal shares in October 2009 in a buy and lease-back deal with HSBC Holding plc (LSE: HSBA; HKSE: 005; NYSE, Paris: HBC) for $353 million. The deal was closed in April 2010.

Earlier this year, the companies signed two long-term leases for 23,500 square feet for a total annual rent of $2.8 million. The space is undergoing renovation ahead of the new tenants' occupancy in October. The companies are negotiating leases for 70% of the complex, amounting to 190,000 square feet.

Property and Building's share price fell 2.2% by midday to NIS 166.90, giving a market cap of NIS 1.6 billion, and Koor's share price fell 4.4% to NIS 33.82, giving a market cap of NIS 1 billion.

Bethel Finances: TASE opening delayed due to large falls

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Trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) opened after a delay, because the Tel Aviv 25 Index fell by over 2.5% in premarket trading. The opening was affected by the losses on global markets on Friday following the publication of disappointing macroeconomic figures, including the US jobs report, which showed that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.1% in August.

Investors are also worried about September 20, when the UN General Assembly is due to declare an independent Palestinian state.

The Tel Aviv 25 and 100 indices both fell by 2.7% at the opening to 1,101 points and 990 points respectively. 23 of the Tel Aviv 25 shares were down at the opening, led by a 4.7% drop by Perrigo Company (Nasdaq:PRGO; TASE:PRGO). Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) is down 2.9%.

Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) is down 3.8%, Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) is down 2.9%, its subsidiary Israel Chemicals Ltd. (TASE: ICL) is down 2.4%, and Discount Investment Corporation (TASE: DISI) is down 3.3%.

Real estate company Gazit-Globe Ltd. (TASE: GLOB) is bucking the market with a gain of 0.7%, and Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd. (TASE: MAIN) is unchanged.

On the Tel Aviv 100 Index, Spacecom Satellite Communications Ltd. (TASE:SCC) is up 4%, for the biggest gain on the index, after announcing a new $65 million 10-year services contract in Africa via its Amos 5 satellite, scheduled for launch in December.

Under TASE regulations, based on London Stock Exchange regulations, if the Tel Aviv 25 Index rises or falls by 2.5% in premarket trading, the opening is delayed by five minutes. If the change persists during the delay, the opening postponed by a further five minutes. If the movement exceeds 5%, the opening is postponed by 45 minutes, and if it exceeds 12%, trading is suspended for the day.