INVEST IN ISRAEL: 2013 WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR ISRAELI HI-TECH

Israeli hi-tech is truly powering the world, and investors want a part of it. Israeli hi-tech had a banner year in terms of exits, as the total number comes in at $7.6 billion. What’s the moral? Invest in Israel!

According to a report put out by PwC Israel and reported on by Globes: “This is divided between mergers and acquisitions totaling $6.45 billion and IPOs (in Tel Aviv and New York) totaling $1.2 billion.These numbers make 2013 the year with the second highest exit figures in the past decade, after 2006. But if two very large acquisitions of public companies that year Mercury by HP and M-Systems by SanDisk – are discounted, then 2013 leads by a long way.On one criterion, 2013 has a definite lead: the average deal size this year is $170 million, compared with $111 million in 2012, and much lower figures for earlier years.”All signs point to a continuation in 2014 as Israel keeps on producing a commodity that the world needs, ingenuity and innovation. As an expert in global investing, I can tell you that Israel is loaded with intriguing investment opportunities. Investors should take some time and research Israeli hi-tech companies. Israel has more than 100 companies that trade in the U.S.

The information contained in this article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., or its affiliates.

Aaron Katsman is author of the book Retirement GPS: How to Navigate Your Way to A Secure Financial Future with Global Investing (McGraw-Hill), and is a licensed financial professional both in the United States and Israel, and helps people who open investment accounts in the United States. Securities are offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. (www.prginc.net). Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA. For more information, visit www.aaronkatsman.com, www.gpsinvestor.com or email aaron@lighthousecapital.co.il.