Пандемия коронавируса COVID-19, кризисные факторы и их влияние на финансовые рынки

Abstract

Aim. The presented study aims to determine the impact of crisis factors resulting from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic on Russian and foreign financial markets. Tasks.The authors assess the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic; describe the dynamics of global gross domestic product (GDP) decline, the distinctive features and nature of the current economic crisis; analyze trends in financial markets to identify the most and least affected industries and economic sectors; analyze and forecast the development of raw materials and renewable energy markets; find ways out of the crisis. Methods. This study uses the methods of analogy, comparative analysis and systematization, and mathematical analysis. Results. Analysis of the stock performance of the largest companies in the financial markets for the I–IV quarters of 2020 makes it possible to assess the positive and negative impact of the crisis on various industries in the US and Russia. The study shows the decrease in demand for primary energy by types of energy carriers and for oil, as well as the potential and prospects for its recovery. Conclusions. The crisis factors caused by the pandemic have had a multidirectional impact on various economic sectors both in Russia and abroad: the greatest damage has been done to air transport, the oil and gas industry, and banking services. However, these crisis factors have not significantly affected IT companies, retail, and medicine, which managed to quickly increase sales and reach record levels of capitalization due to the specific features of their activities. Trends in the Russian market show similar dynamics of consumer demand for the corresponding goods and services, and as a result, for the financial results of companies. Renewable energy sources (RES) have become resilient to falling demand in the global energy market. It is found that the way out of the crisis involves changing the future concept of energy and reforming the labor market. The development of the RES sector will boost the development of green energy and a new labor market focused on green jobs and a carbonfree economy. The demand for oil, which declined sharply during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, is inelastic and will increase over time, which, in the authors’ opinion, will support oil prices and create a more favorable external environment for Russia, allowing it to restore its economy. The key positive result of the pandemic is the acceleration of digitalization processes, increased competition in global markets, and changes in business processes and employee performance assessment systems.