According to a survey conducted among capital-market analysts and investment houses, the Israeli economy will shake off the recession in 2010, but more layoffs are to be expected.

 

87% of the interviewed analysts and investment managers said the recession would end in 2010, but 74% believe that the wave of layoffs is not yet over.

 

The survey was conducted on a sample group of 50 analysts and 50 investment houses and banks.

 

When asked when the recession will end, 53% of the respondents said the recession would end in the first half of next year, while 34% believe it will come to an end in the second half of 2010.

 

70% of those interviewed stated that they did not believe that Steinitz was the best choice for Finance Minister. However, 59% noted that they had confidence that the government could cope with the wave of unemployment. 91% stated that they have faith in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's ability to successfully lead the Treasury's policies.

 

61% expressed optimism about the state of the Israeli capital market, while 34% were pessimistic.

 

According to the analysts’ predictions, the Tel Aviv-100 Index is estimated to rise by 10.4% by the end of the year.

 

76% of the respondents nixed a government bailout for financially-challenged Israeli tycoons.