Category: Israel Economy: Data Watch

January 1, 2018
Bottom line: Chugging along nicely. No big surprises, good or bad, in the early estimate for full-year data that the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) traditionally publishes on December 31. The growth was entirely domestically-generated, while import growth exceeded export growth, shrinking the surplus on current account.

20th August 2017
Bottom line: Service exports continue to expand, but this is despite the sale of start-up companies, which have been very sluggish since January. High-tech service exports — other than start-ups — are continuing to expand at a healthy — but no longer dramatic — pace. Tourist services proved to be the star performer in the first half of 2017.

August 15, 2017
Bottom line: The July trade data suggest grounds for concern, which may be specific to the pharma sector or perhaps be wider. Whether measured by ‘original data’ or seasonally adjusted data, goods trade in July generated the largest monthly deficit of the year to date. On the other hand, the cumulative data for January-July present a much more stable picture. Developments in the next few months should be watched carefully.

July 20, 2017
Bottom line: The trade deficit shrank in the first half of the year, as exports rose at a slightly faster pace than imports. Despite a sharp rise in fuel imports, vehicle imports fell; on the exports side, pharma and chemicals provided most of the gains in an otherwise lackluster picture.

1st May 2017 Bottom line: Export services, the key sector of Israeli exports and the main driver of long-term economic growth, continue to post solid gains in almost all areas, including tourism and passenger transportation as well as high-tech. Sales of start-up companies fell sharply from the record level reached in January and were slightly below that of February 2016.

30-04-17 Bottom line: The overall trade data for January-March paint a picture of relative stability — but this is misleading. First, March saw a significant improvement, after the deficit widened sharply in January-February. Second, imports would have fallen had it not been for a massive increase in fuel imports. Third — and perhaps most important — high-tech exports are rising […]