Category: Israel Economy: Data Watch

Bottom line: The budget deficit renewed its downtrend in November, as revenues posted strong gains and spending remained firmly under control. As expected, the uptick in the deficit in October proved to be a blip.

Bottom line: The headline data look very weak, but the details show a much more mixed picture. This first estimate will probably be revised upward over the next two months. In any event, the weakness should be offset in the fourth quarter, as exports rebound.

Bottom line: The October CPI rose 0.3%, much more than the consensus forecast of 0-0.1%. However, other than highlighting yet again the inability of the forecasters to handle the fluctuations stemming from seasonal factors, the latest data have no long-term significance. But they are sufficient to neutralize the yammering on the part of some analysts for another interest rate cut […]

Bottom line: This was the best set of trade data in a long time, probably since mid-2012. The headline is that the trade deficit shrank significantly in October, but the key development responsible for that outcome is the sharp recovery in high-tech exports in the August-October period. There are other positives, notably that imports are also rising, led by machinery […]

  Bottom line: The improving trend in the budget deficit remains intact. The deterioration in October was largely caused by seasonal factors, which offset the exceptionally strong September data.