Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Standing of Companies Listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

Abstract

Abstract Objective The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic can be observed in many aspects of the functioning of people, economic entities, organisations and countries. One of the areas where this phenomenon has left its mark remains the stock markets. Company listings are influenced by both investor emotions and the economic and financial condition of individual companies. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on individual industries represented by companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Methodology In order to achieve this goal, an analysis was made of the value of changes in the so-called sector indices in the period from the beginning of 2020 to the end of the first half of 2022. This approach to the study will make it possible to determine which industries were most significantly affected by the economic change and what the nature of the possible change was. Quarterly data was used in the research. Findings The results obtained made it possible to note that among the thirteen analysed sectors, we can observe those that lost their value as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic (WIG-medicines, WIG-food, WIG-banks, WIG-clothing), but also those that significantly increased their value in the period under study (WIG-motorisation, WIG-construction, WIG-energy, WIG-IT). Value Added The study conducted will allow for a better understanding of how investors react to crisis events and how this translates into the listing of companies on the stock market. Recommendations The research results obtained require further analysis to establish deeper links between the Covid-19 pandemic and individual sectors of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, which will be the subject of the author’s further studies.