Among the leading offerings were those of British-Israel Investments Ltd. (TASE: BRTS), which raised NIS 300 million, Ashdar Building Co. Ltd., which raised NIS 180 million, and Clal Biotechnology Industries Ltd. (TASE: CBI), which raised NIS 200 million.
The latest round of offerings also included eight real estate and seven new R&D companies.
39 established companies issued bonds and/or convertible stock worth a total of NIS 5.5 billion.
The first quarter of the year also saw more bond issues by new companies, with 15 new companies raising a total of NIS 2.3 billion. Past experience has shown that in some cases, companies like these go on to issue shares as well, on the basis of their experience in their initial bond issue.
The most prominent bond issue was that of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., which raised NIS 1 billion.
Study may help plants survive scourge of salty soil
A new study by Israeli scientists may help improve the ability of plants to survive in highly saline soil, one of the main threats to agriculture worldwide.
35 new companies joined the TASE, compared with 37 for the whole of 2006.
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) experienced a record setting number of IPOs and prospectuses in the first quarter of 2007. 201 companies filed prospectuses of which 141 made it to the finishing line.