Israel Stock Market Hits 52-Week High Amid Iran Missile Strike Report

In a surprising turn of events, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) soared to a 52-week high on June 19, even as tensions between Israel and Iran escalated further following reports of Iranian missile strikes, including one allegedly targeting the exchange building itself.

📈 Markets Surge Amid Missile Fire

Despite heightened geopolitical strain, investor sentiment in Israel remained bullish, defying conventional market reactions during wartime. Key indices posted notable gains:

All Share Index: Up 0.5%, hitting a new 52-week high at 2,574.89

TA-35 Index: Climbed to 2,810.85

TA-125 Index: Rose to 2,850.08

These figures came despite reports from Al Jazeera that 25 Iranian missiles had struck multiple targets in Israel, including damage to the stock exchange building in Tel Aviv.

🚀 Momentum Built Over Weeks

The surge in Israeli equities is not isolated. Since the outbreak of the conflict on June 13, the TA-125 index has gained over 5% in June alone, continuing a broader upward trend:

May: +6.55%

April: +4.53%

Analysts suggest that local institutional buying, defense sector optimism, and policy confidence have insulated the market from short-term shocks.

💥 Details of the Attack

AFP and other agencies confirmed that Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles early Thursday.

Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and two towns near Tel Aviv sustained damage.

Sirens blared across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as dozens of incoming missiles were detected.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, saying Iran would "pay a heavy price." Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israeli forces have been ordered to intensify strikes on Iran.

🌍 Global Markets React Differently

While Israeli stocks showed resilience, global markets slipped:

Europe: STOXX 600 down 2.5% for the week—biggest drop since April.

US: S&P 500 futures dipped 0.6%, though markets were closed for a public holiday.

Asia: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 2%, and Taiwan’s benchmark dropped 1.5%.

🇮🇳 India Remains Stable

Indian stock markets held relatively steady in afternoon trade:

Nifty 50 and Sensex down just 0.05%, showing cautious optimism amid global uncertainty.

🔍 What’s Driving Israel’s Market Confidence?

Experts point to:

Confidence in domestic economic stability

Heavy institutional support

Expectations of government support for defense and infrastructure stocks

Perceived military superiority or preparedness among Israeli investors

🛡️ Strategic Takeaway

This is a rare case of market optimism during active wartime—underscoring how local investor behavior, government positioning, and geopolitical resilience can override external fear indicators.