SECURITIES

Israeli Shares Soar to Record High on Peace Hopes: Blue-chip stocks soared to a record high in a buying frenzy fueled by hopes of an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord as early as next week. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Mishtanim blue-chip shares index jumped 10.01 points or 4.66% to 224.76, smashing February’s previous 218.17 record. Cabinet ministers said Sunday they hope Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization will sign an agreement in principle for self-rule in the occupied territories together with a separate accord on mutual recognition in Washington on Sept. 13.