End of Uncertainty: Electricity Authority’s Decision Sends Meshek and Shikun & Binui Energy Soaring
After months of deliberation, the Electricity Authority has decided to soften the restrictions it initially planned to impose on electricity prices charged by private power producers operating the privatized power stations. The companies will now be
allowed to charge up to 40% above the cost of gas, a move expected to generate savings of 400 million shekels.
The Israeli Electricity Authority announced its decision to cap electricity prices charged by private power producers, who operate the power stations that were privatized from the state-owned Israel Electric Corporation.
However, the final restrictions are far more lenient than initially proposed, ending the prolonged uncertainty that has weighed on these companies—especially Meshek Energy, which holds a
stake in the Eshkol power plant through Dalia Energy, and Shikun & Binui Energy, which operates the Ramat Hovav and Hagit Mizrah power stations.
Back in September, the Electricity Authority launched a public hearing on private electricity producers, accusing them of non-competitive behavior and charging significantly higher-than-market prices. As a corrective measure, the authority proposed setting a pricing ceiling, ensuring that the producers' bids more accurately reflect their actual costs rather than relying on limited competition in the sector.
The initial mechanism would have allowed producers to charge only
15% above the average cost of natural gas (depending on the power plant’s age) and up to 40% in cases where they were asked to generate additional electricity in real-time.
A Softer Approach Than Expected
Ultimately, the authority opted to relax these restrictions, allowing power producers to charge up to 40% above the gas price for next-day electricity generation bids and up to 60% for real-time bids.
According to market sources, this pricing structure essentially allows producers to charge rates similar to those before the regulatory intervention, without the initially proposed
price cap. The Electricity Authority maintains that this policy change will result in annual savings of 400 million shekels.
Additionally, power plants will be allowed to increase the rates they charge—on the condition that they agree to retroactively apply the new regulations from the start of their operations. This clause is particularly relevant for Dalia Energy’s Eshkol power plant, which only began operations in mid-2023.
The other power plants, which were privatized between 2020 and 2022, are unlikely to opt into this retroactive adjustment, as doing so would require them to reimburse significant amounts.
Clearing the Cloud of Uncertainty
Despite the imposed pricing cap, the decision lifts a major cloud of uncertainty that had loomed over the companies
operating privatized power stations. Speculation over the Electricity Authority’s regulatory intentions had weighed on Meshek Energy and Shikun & Binui Energy, causing their stocks to plummet by 18% in the week following the public hearing.
Since then, both stocks have rebounded, trading above pre-hearing levels in recent weeks, and they are continuing to climb today. However, investors remain cautious as they await the release of the full regulatory
documents, which will provide further clarity on how the decision will impact these companies in the long run.
One of the biggest Nike franchisees is Israeli, here's how the relationship works
Retailors jumped following Nike’s surge on Wall Street; as a key Nike franchisee, Retailors benefits from Nike’s success but also feels the impact of its weaknesses. After a tough year, Nike is under new leadership aiming to get the company back on
track. Meanwhile, Retailors continues to strengthen its partnership with Nike, including an expansion into France
Nike’s stock surged on Wall Street, and in Tel Aviv—Retailors was rising. The connection between the two isn’t new, and it’s expected to continue shaping Retailors’ trajectory. Nike accounted for 68% of Retailors’ revenue in
the first nine months of 2024, and Retailors is one of Nike’s largest franchisees worldwide. Beyond its stores in Israel, the company operates Nike stores in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and various European countries—and has recently expanded into France.
In many ways, Retailors is Nike. While the company holds franchise rights for additional brands like Foot Locker, Champion, and Converse, Nike is its dominant business—both financially
and in terms of brand perception. That means when Nike soars, Retailors benefits, and when Nike stumbles, Retailors takes a hit.
Nike’s Decline and Recovery
Nike’s stock had a rough year. Under its former CEO, John Donahoe, the company prioritized online sales at the expense of physical retail. The strategy worked well during COVID, but as consumers returned to malls, Nike lost shelf space to emerging brands
like On and Hoka.
The major downturn came in June, when Nike issued a weak revenue forecast for the upcoming year. The stock plunged 20% in a single day, dragging Retailors down
with it, causing a 10% drop on the Tel Aviv exchange.
Now, Nike is under new-old leadership. Elliott Hill, who spent 32 years at the company before retiring in 2020, has been called
back as CEO. The expectation is that Hill will refocus on physical retail, a strategy that could restore investor confidence and lift Nike’s stock, which is currently trading at its pandemic-era price levels.
