Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

With global financial markets in turmoil and investors losing trillions of dollars of wealth, who would imagine that in Israel, investors’ financial assets are growing?  In a surprising report issued by the Bank of Israel reported  by Globes: “Despite global market turmoil and the shekel’s appreciation against the dollar and euro, Israelis’ financial assets grew by an additional NIS 16.5 billion in May 2008 to NIS 2.08 trillion, an all-time high.” This marks an increase of more than 6.5% through the end of May. Giddy up!

This just goes to show how strong the Israeli economy is. I don’t think that this number includes home ownership, and most Israelis are homeowners, so the real amount of wealth, not just financial assets, being created is very impressive. Even as local stock markets get hit, Israelis are just making more money and for a change, saving it. Alongside the US, Israel has a low savings level, so this number points to a potential behavioral change. If markets drop yet financial assets rise it must mean that more and more money is being invested. That increase in savings is a great sign moving forward.

Disclosure: Author’s fund has no position in any stock mentioned as of 7/07/08.

Please see our Disclaimer HERE.

NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.

Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

Last week in the tourist city of Eilat, the big-wigs( yours truly was not invited) of the Israeli economy got together to speak about the future of the Israeli economy. Speaking about the global economic slowdown and the ramifications on the Israeli economy, Ministry of Finance director general Yarom Ariav mentioned that he expects a slowdown locally on the heels of the global economic slowdown. Pretty standard analysis.

Then, according to Globes, Ariav said, “The decision to integrate into the global economy has greatly limited options for the Israeli economy. 10% annual growth by emerging markets affects raw materials, oil, and disposable goods.”

What?

Is he saying that that fact Israel is now part of the global economy a bad thing? Would it be better for Israel to be a protectionist and isolationist economy, and just produce goods for our own survival? (Continue »)

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Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

The amazing 80’s group ABC once asked a question about financial planning. They asked, “Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire?” According to fresh data, the answer may just be to come live in Israel. There used to be a not so funny joke that went like this. ” How do you become a millionaire living in Israel? You come to Israel with $2 million!” Hah Hah! I told you it’s not such a funny joke.

According to the 12th annual World Wealth Report issued by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, ” the number of the country’s millionaires grew by 13.6 percent in 2007, more than double the global millionaires’ growth rate of 6%, to a total of 8,200.”

That’s a pretty impressive growth rate, and the fact that it’s double the global growth rate speaks volumes as to the Israeli economic revival that has taken place over the last 5-6 years. The opportunities to  create wealth in Israel abound, whether in hi-tech, real estate or even in industry (Click here to see a great video on Investing in Israel) . And those opportunities are not lost on foreign investors. It would be an interesting to see how many foreigners have become millionaires or multi-millionaires by investing in Israel.  With the amount of foreign investment that has been flowing into Israel,  I suspect that that number must be pretty high as well.

If you are an investor and looking at new frontiers to invest, you need to take a serious look at investing in the holy land. If you are thinking about moving to Israel with an organization like Nefesh B’Nefesh, you should feel confident that there are plenty of economic opportunities, and that the old joke about coming with $2 million no longer applies.

Disclosure: Author’s fund has no position in any stock mentioned as of 6/26/08.

Please see our Disclaimer HERE.

NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.

Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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Aaron Katsman
www.IsraelNewsletter.com

With Israel immersed in speculation whether PM Ehud Olmert  will be indicted on bribery charges, the question for investors is what the impact will be on the markets? While globally, financial markets hate uncertainty, and just the mention of a leader getting busted for being on the take, would send indices plunging, in Israel I would expect little fallout. Why? Because Israel goes through PM’s at a rate that makes Italy proud. I can’t remember the last PM to serve out his entire 4 year term. In addition, Olmert already has 4 investigations against him. Sorry to say, but Israeli’s have become accustomed to scandal, and coalition uncertainty.

In this particular case, while the local Tel-Aviv Exchange may fall somewhat when it opens for trading on Sunday, I would expect the reaction to be short lived. Keep in mind that opposition leader, and former PM and Finance Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is a market favorite. He was instrumental in turning Israel around economically, and basically saved the country from bankruptcy, earlier this decade.

Israeli stocks that trade in the US, should be even less effected, as most are export driven, and make most of their sales outside of Israel.

Keep tuned into IOI, as we will track the scandal and report on the impact that any new allegations will have on Israeli stocks.

Disclosure: Author’s fund has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 5/9/08.

Please see our Disclaimer HERE.

NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.

Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

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