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Gulf Today
13-08-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Norway sovereign fund expects to sell more Israeli stocks over Gaza, West Bank
Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, said on Tuesday it expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of itsongoing review of investmentsin the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The fund announced on Monday it wasterminating contractswith external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just over 2% in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL) , has now been sold, the fund announced on Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other companies."We expect to divest from more companies, NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a press conference on Tuesday. The fund began investing in BSEL in November 2023, about one month afterthe war in Gazabegan, via an external investment manager, Tangen said. The fund declined to name the external portfolio then, NBIM has held quarterly meetings with Bet Shemesh Holdings, but the war in Gaza was not raised as a theme." We had discussions about their business in the United States, not about the war in Gaza," Tangen said, adding that the fund had rated BSEL as a "medium risk" stock with regards to ethics concerns. BSEL was later reviewed as a high-risk stock in May. That change should have been quicker, Tangen said, adding that NBIM should have had a tighter overview of these investments earlier."We should have been quicker in taking back control of the Israeli investments," he said. SIX-MONTH PROFITThe fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, is one of the world's largest investors, owning on average 1.5% of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy Tuesday, it posted a 698 billion Norwegian crowns ($68.28 billion) profit for the first half of the year, earning an overall return of 5.7% in line with its benchmark index."The result is driven by good returns in the stock market, particularly in the financial sector," Tangen said in a statement.($1 = 10.2223 Norwegian crowns)
Al Etihad
12-08-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Norway sovereign fund, world's largest, expects to sell more Israeli stocks over Gaza, West Bank
12 Aug 2025 14:12 ARENDAL (Reuters) Norway's $2 trillion wealth fund, the world's largest, said on Tuesday it expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with all three of its external asset managers who handled some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just over 2% in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL) , has now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other fund is now taking a closer look at the remaining 50 Israeli companies in the portfolio and will report back to the finance ministry by an August 20 deadline."There is good reason to believe that there will be further sell-outs," Deputy CEO Trond Grande told Reuters, without saying how many companies could be affected. ELECTIONNorway faces a general election on September 8 and multiple politicians have called on Tangen to resign in light of the Israeli investments. He ruled out stepping down, saying he had carried out the fund's mandate, as decided by parliament."I haven't even thought about it," he said in an interview. "We (at the fund) have not made any kind of formal mistakes. We have ended up in a situation that has been unfortunate, but we are executing on the mandate."The fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, owns on average 1.5% of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy projects. Separately, parliament's constitutional and control committee was meeting on Tuesday to discuss what to ask Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg regarding the fund's Israeli investments. It is expected Stoltenberg will have a week to answer the questions, public broadcaster NRK non-Israeli companies with business in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the fund would continue to monitor the ethical risk they may pose and grade them in different risk categories, Grande said. That work would be done with the fund's ethical watchdog, the Council on Ethics, which makes recommendations for divestments if the companies are deemed to breach ethical guidelines set by the Norwegian parliament.
The Advertiser
12-08-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Norwegian fund expects to sell more Israeli stocks
Norway's $US2 trillion ($A3.1 trillion) sovereign wealth fund expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just more than two per cent in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), had now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other companies. "We expect to divest from more companies," NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a news conference on Tuesday. The fund began investing in BSEL in November 2023, about one month after the war in Gaza began, via an external investment manager, Tangen said. The fund declined to name the external portfolio manager. Since then, NBIM has held quarterly meetings with Bet Shemesh Holdings, but the war in Gaza was not raised as a theme. "We had discussions about their business in the United States, not about the war in Gaza," Tangen said, adding that the fund had rated BSEL as a "medium risk" stock with regards to ethics concerns. BSEL was later reviewed as a high-risk stock in May. That change should have been quicker, Tangen said, adding that NBIM should have had a tighter overview of these investments earlier. "We should have been quicker in taking back control of the Israeli investments," he said. The fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, is one of the world's largest investors, owning on average 1.5 per cent of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, it posted a 698 billion Norwegian crowns ($A104.9 billion) profit for the first half of the year, earning an overall return of 5.7 per cent in line with its benchmark index. "The result is driven by good returns in the stock market, particularly in the financial sector," Tangen said in a statement. Norway's $US2 trillion ($A3.1 trillion) sovereign wealth fund expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just more than two per cent in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), had now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other companies. "We expect to divest from more companies," NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a news conference on Tuesday. The fund began investing in BSEL in November 2023, about one month after the war in Gaza began, via an external investment manager, Tangen said. The fund declined to name the external portfolio manager. Since then, NBIM has held quarterly meetings with Bet Shemesh Holdings, but the war in Gaza was not raised as a theme. "We had discussions about their business in the United States, not about the war in Gaza," Tangen said, adding that the fund had rated BSEL as a "medium risk" stock with regards to ethics concerns. BSEL was later reviewed as a high-risk stock in May. That change should have been quicker, Tangen said, adding that NBIM should have had a tighter overview of these investments earlier. "We should have been quicker in taking back control of the Israeli investments," he said. The fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, is one of the world's largest investors, owning on average 1.5 per cent of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, it posted a 698 billion Norwegian crowns ($A104.9 billion) profit for the first half of the year, earning an overall return of 5.7 per cent in line with its benchmark index. "The result is driven by good returns in the stock market, particularly in the financial sector," Tangen said in a statement. Norway's $US2 trillion ($A3.1 trillion) sovereign wealth fund expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just more than two per cent in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), had now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other companies. "We expect to divest from more companies," NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a news conference on Tuesday. The fund began investing in BSEL in November 2023, about one month after the war in Gaza began, via an external investment manager, Tangen said. The fund declined to name the external portfolio manager. Since then, NBIM has held quarterly meetings with Bet Shemesh Holdings, but the war in Gaza was not raised as a theme. "We had discussions about their business in the United States, not about the war in Gaza," Tangen said, adding that the fund had rated BSEL as a "medium risk" stock with regards to ethics concerns. BSEL was later reviewed as a high-risk stock in May. That change should have been quicker, Tangen said, adding that NBIM should have had a tighter overview of these investments earlier. "We should have been quicker in taking back control of the Israeli investments," he said. The fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, is one of the world's largest investors, owning on average 1.5 per cent of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, it posted a 698 billion Norwegian crowns ($A104.9 billion) profit for the first half of the year, earning an overall return of 5.7 per cent in line with its benchmark index. "The result is driven by good returns in the stock market, particularly in the financial sector," Tangen said in a statement. Norway's $US2 trillion ($A3.1 trillion) sovereign wealth fund expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just more than two per cent in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), had now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), an arm of Norway's central bank, which held stakes in 61 Israeli companies as of June 30, in recent days divested stakes in 11 firms, including BSEL. It did not name the other companies. "We expect to divest from more companies," NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a news conference on Tuesday. The fund began investing in BSEL in November 2023, about one month after the war in Gaza began, via an external investment manager, Tangen said. The fund declined to name the external portfolio manager. Since then, NBIM has held quarterly meetings with Bet Shemesh Holdings, but the war in Gaza was not raised as a theme. "We had discussions about their business in the United States, not about the war in Gaza," Tangen said, adding that the fund had rated BSEL as a "medium risk" stock with regards to ethics concerns. BSEL was later reviewed as a high-risk stock in May. That change should have been quicker, Tangen said, adding that NBIM should have had a tighter overview of these investments earlier. "We should have been quicker in taking back control of the Israeli investments," he said. The fund, which invests the Norwegian state's revenues from oil and gas production, is one of the world's largest investors, owning on average 1.5 per cent of all listed stocks worldwide. It also invests in bonds, real estate and renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, it posted a 698 billion Norwegian crowns ($A104.9 billion) profit for the first half of the year, earning an overall return of 5.7 per cent in line with its benchmark index. "The result is driven by good returns in the stock market, particularly in the financial sector," Tangen said in a statement.
Leaders
09-08-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Norway's Wealth Fund to Announce Israeli Investment Measures, Rules Out Full Divestment
Norway's Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced on Friday that the country's Sovereign Wealth Fund will unveil next week adjustments to how it manages its Israeli investments, according to Reuters. On Tuesday, the government revealed an urgent review of the fund's investments over ethical concerns related to the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel's military rule in the West Bank. 'I see several measures over time, but what can be addressed quickly, must be done quickly,' Stoltenberg told a press conference. Crucially, Stoltenberg did not specify what the measures might entail but emphasized that there would be no blanket divestment from all Israeli companies. 'If we did that, it would mean we are divesting from them because they are Israeli,' he added. The review came after local media reports that noted the fund had acquired a stake in Israeli jet engine manufacturer Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, which provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. As a result, the reports sparked political debate in Norway ahead of the September 8 elections. Stoltenberg stated that discussions between the Finance Ministry and the fund involved the use of external portfolio managers for certain holdings. Moreover, he noted that the Bet Shemesh investment was managed by an external manager, which he did not name. The fund also revealed that it uses three Israeli external fund managers for some of its holdings in the country. At the end of 2024, the fund held shares in 65 Israeli companies, valued at $1.95 billion, its records show. Meanwhile, the fund sold its stakes in an Israeli energy company and a telecoms group in 2024. At the same time, its ethics watchdog is also assessing whether to divest from five banks. Related Topics: Norway, Iceland: Evacuating Gaza is Illegal Forceful Displacement Saudi Embassy in Norway Issues New Instructions for Citizens, Visitors Saudi Ambassador to Norway Presents Credentials to King Harald V Short link : Post Views: 10
Middle East Eye
08-08-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Norway's wealth fund to announce measures on Israeli investments next week
Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund will next week announce changes to how it handles its Israeli investments, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday, ruling out any blanket withdrawal over Israel's war on Gaza. The government on Tuesday said that it had launched an urgent review of the fund's investments over ethical concerns linked to the war on Gaza and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. "I see several measures over time, but what can be addressed quickly, must be done quickly," Stoltenberg told a press conference after holding his second meeting with fund officials in three days. He did not specify what the measures might involve, but said there would not be a wholesale divestment from all Israeli companies. "If we did that, it would mean we are divesting from them because they are Israeli," he said. The review followed local news reports that the fund had built a stake in Israeli jet engine manufacturer Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), which provides services to Israel's armed forces, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The revelation has sparked political debate in the Nordic country ahead of elections on 8 September.
