Direct foreign investment in Israel totaled $2.3 billion in April 2013, of which $2 billion was for the acquisition of 20% of Iscar Ltd. by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A), the Bank of Israel announced today.
Net foreign investment in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) listed stocks was $110 million in April, after a net investment of $210 million in February-March. Preliminary figures for May indicate net foreign investment in TASE shares at $120 million. Net foreign investment in government bonds in makam (short-term Treasury notes) totaled $430 million and $110 million, respectively, in April, but preliminary figures indicate a sell-off in May of $210 million in net sales in bonds and $50 million in makam.
Foreign investment by Israeli investment institutions in foreign shares fell in April for the first time since May 2012, with a net $308 million in sales. These sales were partly offset by a net $280 million in net investment in foreign shares by households and the business sector, states the Bank of Israel.
Net foreign direct investment by Israelis totaled $170 million in April. However, net investment in foreign bonds was negligible as $50 million in net investment by the business sector was offset by net sales in the a similar amount by institutional investors.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 5, 2013
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