War on the ground, rally in the markets: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange surges to 52-week high despite Iran’s missile barrage

Israel Stock Exchange: The tensions between Iran and Israel have ratcheted up considerably since Israel’s attacked the former over its nuclear weapons programme. Since then, the two countries have been hitting civilian infrastructure and military installations in both the respective countries. Yet, despite these escalating military tensions, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has shown remarkable resilience. It has today hit a 52-week high and the surge comes even as Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Israeli cities, including an attack that damaged a hospital building and reportedly affected the stock exchange premises.

The TASE All Share Index climbed 0.5% to reach 2,574.89 points, while key indices such as the TA-35 and TA-125 also traded higher, hitting their own 52-week highs of 2,810.85 and 2,850.08, respectively. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange closed at 6,161.00 Israeli Shekels (ILA) today, marking an increase of 101.00 points, or approximately 1.67%, compared to the previous trading session.

Israel stock exchange’s bullish performance is also an indication of the strength of Israel’s strong economy, which has been resilient despite a volatile geopolitical climate.

On June 19, Iranian missile strikes targeted southern Israel’s Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and towns near Tel Aviv, causing injuries and structural damage. The attacks prompted sirens across major cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with reports confirming dozens of ballistic missiles launched from Iran.

In response, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz railed against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating, “Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist.”

Katz also announced massive Israeli retaliation and vowed to strike on strategic targets within Iran, signalling a further escalation in the ongoing conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran would “pay a heavy price” for the attacks.

The Israel stock exchange’s ability to sustain investor confidence amid these developments underscores the market’s underlying strength and the robust appetite for Israeli equities. Analysts attribute this resilience to strong fundamentals in key sectors and investor optimism about Israel’s economic outlook despite geopolitical risks.

The recent missile attacks on Israel, including damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and reportedly the stock exchange building, have not deterred market participants. Instead, the surge in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reflects a broader trend of investors seeking opportunities in local markets during times of uncertainty.