"Nonresidents' net direct investment in Israel via domestic banks was about $660 million in January, of which $300 million was investment in one company in the electronics sector," states the Bank of Israel, confirming the investment of Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) in Anobit Ltd.
The Bank of Israel adds that foreign investors sold an additional $460 million of makams in January, after selling a net $820 million in December 2011, but that they invested a net $560 million in government bonds. Net foreign investment in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) shares was $200 million in January, about the same in the two preceding months, and net sales of Israeli shares traded abroad totaled $140 million.
Net foreign investment in government bonds totaled $900 million in January, following a $1.5 billion ten-year government bond issue in the US.
Israelis sold a net $100 million in foreign shares in January. Institutional investors sold a net $260 million worth of foreign shares, on top of the net $2.1 billion sold in October-December, which was offset by $160 million in net investment by businesses and households.
Direct foreign investment by Israelis was zero in January.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 4, 2012
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