| NONRESIDENTS |
| Continued net sales of government bonds and makam |
| Bonds and makam: In May 2012 nonresidents sold a net $790 million of government bonds and about $400 million of makam. Since the beginning of the year, nonresidents sold some $4.5 billion in those two asset classes combined. In May, there were net sales of some $120 million of government bonds traded abroad. |
| Israeli shares: In May nonresidents sold a net $160 million in shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), following net investment of $440 million since the beginning of the year. Nonresidents sold a net $210 million in Israeli shares traded abroad. |
| Nonresidents' direct investment: In May, nonresidents' net direct investment in Israel via domestic banks totaled about $740 million, most of which was invested in high-tech industries. |
| RESIDENTS |
| Investments in foreign securities by institutional investors and the business sector |
| Shares: In May, net investments by Israeli residents in foreign shares traded abroad totaled $300 million; institutional investors and the business sector invested a net $410 million, which were partially offset by households' sales of $110 million. |
| Bonds: In May, residents invested a net $15 million in tradable bonds abroad—institutional investors and the business sector invested a net $65 million which were partially offset by households' sales of $50 million. |
| Direct investment abroad: In May, residents sold a net $50 million in direct investment abroad, mainly in the insurance and high-tech industries. |
