Market valuation of the world's leading public oil and gas corporations as an indicator of investment attractiveness of domestic vertically integrated companies

Subject. This article explores the market valuation ratios of the twenty five leading listed oil and gas companies between 2006 and 2018. Objectives. The article aims to identify key trends in the changes in market valuations of the largest listed oil and gas companies, and identify the factors that have caused these changes. Methods. For the study, I used comparative, and financial and economic analyses, and generalization of materials of the companies' consolidated financial statements. Results. The article shows certain changes in the main indicators of market valuation of the leading listed oil and gas companies and identifies the main factors that contributed to these changes. It establishes that the most significant for comparison and valuation are ratios based on balance sheet values of assets and equity, and net sales, EBITDA, DACF and net income ratios are appropriate as auxiliary ratios. The article says that the exchange segment of the industry has increased the debt load, so instead of market capitalization as a component of the coefficients of this group, it is advisable to apply the enterprise value indicator. Conclusions and Relevance. The article concludes that the market sentiments towards the stock market segment of the global oil and gas industry are getting impaired. This is quite natural against the background of falling profitability of most leading companies. The results of the study can be useful in evaluating, forecasting and developing measures to increase the market capitalization and value of listed oil and gas companies.

Assessing the institutional and financial factors of the IFRS Foundation management from the perspective of the Eurasian Economic Union

Subject. This article explores the impact of the modern institutional and financial structure of the IFRS Foundation on the quality and functionality of the international financial reporting standards, as the main instruments of globalization of the financial and economic sphere, caused by insufficiency in the management of the IFRS Foundation. Objectives. The article aims to identify the reasons for the growth of risk factors in the IFRS Foundation’s activities caused by its institutional and financial structure, taking into account the previously identified problems of the IFRS Foundation management, assess the position of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in the IFRS management system, and develop practical proposals to minimize the identified risks. Methods. For the study, I used a comparative analysis. Results. The article finds that the institutional and financial structure of the IFRS Foundation is characterized by disproportion of the current national, sectoral, and financial representation in the Foundation’s management bodies. This creates risks of inharmonious development of IFRS and confirms the ongoing pendency of the Foundation's unresolved management problems previously identified. The current position of the EEU is characterized by a significant imbalance between functional and financial representations in the Foundation's management system. To reduce such risks, the article proposes to diversify the industry representation, and introduce financial participation coefficients and national representation into the practice of the Foundation's management, based on a transparent and understandable algorithm using public data. Conclusions. The formulated proposals can be useful for the authorized federal governing bodies of the Russian Federation and the EEU governing bodies when developing growth strategies in the field of accounting and reporting, to improve international standards, and protect the national economic interests of the EEU countries in the course of the IFRS Foundation’s activities under present-day conditions.

Public finance during the reign of Catherine the Great

Subject. We study the main directions and special aspects of the monetary system development during the reign of Catherine II. We discuss the monetary reform associated with the introduction of bank notes and the emergence of the banking system, as well as the creation of new financial systems. Objectives. We focus on identifying the economic reasons that propelled Catherine the Great to use a new instrument of State regulation of the financial system, on showing how the creation of the banking system, still within the conditions of serfdom, acquired its own specifics. Methods. We apply the logical, historical and diachronous approaches, economic research methods. We also use the principles of historical method, dialectics, the method of scientific abstraction and analysis, which determine the foundations of the financial reforms of Catherine the Great. Results. We revealed the role of creating the banking system and non-banking institutions during the second half of the eighteenth century, classified their types and goals, determined the main characteristics of paper money. The monetary reform of Catherine the Great, which created favorable conditions for external borrowings, ensured the recovery of public finance in general. Conclusions. The study concludes on important role of State regulation in the development of financial infrastructure, on the need to use the experience in the modern practice of private enterprise development and capital accumulation. The findings can be used in lectures and seminars for basic courses, like History of Finance and Economic History.

Analyzing the Impact of Corporate Governance Factors on Enterprise Value and Capitalization

Subject. The article focuses on business valuation methods and factors with reference to corporate governance principles. Objectives. I analyze how corporate governance factors influence the value and capitalization of public joint-stock companies, and make my suggestions concerning financial and administrative decisions in line with value-based management. Methods. The study is based on methods of synthesis, deduction, induction, statistical analysis, comparison and generalization. Results. Having analyzed the impact of such factors, as revenue, dividends paid, return on sale and equity, for an 11-year life span (2009–2019), on capitalization and value of the population made up of 20 Russian public joint-stock companies from four sectors, as classified by the number of owners and State interest, I figured out that capitalization enterprise value in Russia most of all depend on indicators of companies if it has 11 owners and more (71%), companies without the State interest (67%). As for basic factors, these are revenue and dividend policy that have the strongest effect on enterprise value, while capitalization depends on all the analyzable factors. Conclusions and Relevance. Currently, business valuation and business valuation management are critical for making correct strategic administrative decision. Doing so, the appraiser shall not only measure enterprise value with available financial results, but also consider its various non-financial indicators, which inter alia include corporate governance. Based on corporate governance principles set forth in the Letter of the Bank of Russia, I pointed out that definitely influence the enterprise value. Based on the above analysis, I determined what best results the Russian public joint-stock companies can attain in their corporate governance by sector, the number and quality of owners. Following the findings, I suggest how financial and administrative decisions on enterprise value management should be made, in line with the value-based management principles.

Syndicated Lending: Law Enforcement and Legislative Refinements

Subject. This article focuses on the development of the syndicated lending institution as the respective legal framework emerges. Objectives. The article aims to consider problems of the development of syndicated lending in Russia and describe the main areas for further changes in the legal regulation. Methods. For the study, I used logical and structural analyses, and functional analysis system and legalistic approaches. Results. The article describes the essence, features and legal regulation of syndicated lending, and evaluates enforcement practices based on the new syndicated loan law. It also formulates key issues and identifies further areas for changing the legal regulation of syndicated lending. Conclusions. The development of syndicated lending can significantly support large and medium-sized businesses in terms of job preservation, tax revenue growth, and business competitiveness. The findings can contribute to the theory of syndicated lending in the Russian Federation, and practical activities to suggest possible legislative and regulatory improvements in this area.

Multipliers Based on Oil And Gas Production and Reserves as National Vertically Integrated Oil Companies’ Indicator of Lucrativeness for Investors. Part II

Subject. The article investigates ratios of market capitalization to production and proven reserves held by 25 major public oil and gas corporations within 2008 through 2018. Objectives. I trace key trends in ratios of market capitalization to production and proven reserves in major public oil and gas corporations. The article also determines what caused such transformation for the analyzable period and indicates whether such multipliers are applicable to business valuations in the oil and gas sector. Methods. I use methods of comparative, financial and economic analysis, and summarize materials of financial statements. Results. The analyzable multipliers were found to be applicable to business valuation of oil and gas corporations. If a company has oil refining and petrochemisry segments in its architecture, it will have a favorable effect on ratios. The company will also benefit if its profitability is higher than that of competitors. National companies and their indicators are seen to be influenced by the country factor, which should be taken into account for purposes of business valuation. Ratios depend on the availability of proven reserves. This aspect influences the multiplier of ratio of market capitalization to proven reserves. Therefore, it is advisable in case of similar proven reserves in comparable companies. Hence, it is more preferable to use the multiplier of the ratio of market capitalization to production. Conclusions and Relevance. It is acceptable to use the multiplier with reference to the information on production even if the profitability goes down and the debt burden increases in the listed sector of the global oil and gas industry, while the ratio based on proven reserves is more reasonable as an auxiliary indicator. The findings can be used to appraise the possible value of oil and gas assets as part of the comparable approach. They can also underlie measures for raising the market capitalization of public oil and gas companies.

Tax Regimes in the USA: The Review and the Effect on Small Businesses

Subject. The article discusses the development of small businesses in the USA though supporting measures. Objectives. We suggest how small businesses should be supported and developed by analyzing the relevant practices in the USA. We also identify and analyze factors and conditions that contribute to the development of small businesses through supportive measures taken in the USA. Methods. We use the methods of analysis, synthesis and logic research through the creative data approach. Results. In this article we analyze the specifics of tax treatment of business and small business, first of all, in Foreign Trade Zones and in the USA as a whole. We reveal special tax regimes in the USA, referring to the business environment of SME in Russia just for the sake of comparison. Having analyzed relevant positive practices in the USA, we suggest how small businesses should be supported and developed in Russia, which is the novelty of this study. Conclusions and Relevance. We conclude that the apparatus the USA uses to bring its small business sector to the international market and expand its operations, helps businessmen increase their profit and sales, get more free from seasonal fluctuations and turbulence in the domestic market and receive real financial aid. Supporting the small business, the State should prioritize ensuring sufficient jobs for the people, including the creation of additional ones.

Multipliers based on oil and gas production and reserves as national vertically integrated oil companies’ indicator of lucrativeness for investors

Subject. The article investigates ratios of market capitalization to production and proven reserves held by the twenty five major public oil and gas corporations within 2008 through 2018. Objectives. I trace key trends in ratios of market capitalization to production and proven reserves in major public oil and gas corporations. The article also determines what caused such transformation for the analyzable period and indicates whether such multipliers are applicable to business valuations in the oil and gas sector. Methods. I use methods of comparative, financial and economic analysis, and summarize materials of financial statements. Results. The analyzable multipliers were found to be applicable to business valuation of oil and gas corporations. If a company has oil refining and petrochemisry segments in its architecture, it will have a favorable effect on ratios. The company will also benefit if its profitability is higher than that of competitors. National companies and their indicators are seen to be influenced by the country factor, which should be taken into account for purposes of business valuation. Ratios depend on the availability of proven reserves. This aspect influences the multiplier of ratio of market capitalization to proven reserves. Therefore, it is advisable in case of similar proven reserves in comparable companies. Hence, it is more preferable to use the multiplier of the ratio of market capitalization to production. Conclusions and Relevance. It is acceptable to use the multiplier with reference to the information on production even if the profitability goes down and the debt burden increases in the listed sector of the global oil and gas industry, while the ratio based on proven reserves is more reasonable as an auxiliary indicator. The findings can be used to appraise the possible value of oil and gas assets as part of the comparable approach. They can also underlie measures for raising the market capitalization of public oil and gas companies.

Waves of the IPO market: The history and emergence

Subject. The article considers the phenomenon of clustering in the initial public offering (IPO) market. Objectives. The aim is to perform a critical analysis of literature on the IPO market behavior and determine the optimal moment of company's listing on stock exchange. Methods. The study draws on analytical methods of information gathering and processing, as well as the comparative analysis. Results. The paper summarizes results of works by researchers on the IPO markets clustering, defines criteria for successful listing on stock exchange, unveils a number of factors affecting the market dynamics. It also determines possible ways and indicators to predict the onset of the hot issue market for initial public offerings. Conclusions. Macroeconomic factors and investor sentiment explain the clustering of IPO markets. Given that the waves in this market are of short-term nature, the macroeconomic performance is an inaccurate indicator, when predicting the onset of waves of initial public offerings, as opposed to investor sentiment. Indicators, like the reversal of the stock market from recession to growth, positive market dynamics for three months, and a period of low imputed volatility may serve as indicators of the imminent onset of a wave of initial public offerings. A successful IPO of a company operating in a particular industry may lead to an increase in the number of transactions of similar companies from this industry, provided that the stock market continues to show a positive trend during the period, which is necessary to get ready for an IPO.

Corporate financial planning during the digitalization of the economy

Subject. Due to the current circumstances of the economic crisis, high competition, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises decide to develop the digitalization of financial planning, since it will allow them to use new IT resources, quickly respond to market changes and manage their resources flexibly. Objectives. I herein study possible ways of developing the digitalization of financial planning for industrial enterprises. Methods. The study is based on methods of empirical (observation, collection and selection of facts and tracing their relationship) and theoretical research (study into the internal structure and development patterns of systems and phenomena, their interaction). Results. The article unveils what urged to start the digital transformation, and determined key challenges and avenues of the digitalization of financial planning for industrial enterprises. Conclusions and Relevance. During the crisis, financial planning should follow from the strategy to tactics. Strategic financial planning requires to look into the future of the development, understand the objective, analyze strengths and weaknesses, summarize strategic alternatives, and choose aspects for further optimization. Setting up a new financial plan to become more competitive and effective, in the current circumstances of the economic digitalization, the enterprise should convert into a new IT format, which would ensure the comprehensive nature of planning procedures, their continuity to make the system more flexible and adapt it to the production specifics in terms of the time horizon, type of production, and conditions of internal and external operations.