Windfall profits and losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is a great economic shock, both for the European countries and for the entire world. The subject of the study is the unexpected profits or losses connected with the coronavirus pandemic. The authors of the article focus on the areas affected by losses and the areas, which achieved windfall profits during the discussed period. The purpose of this article is to analyze and evaluate the profits and losses resulting from the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The world economy has been struggling with epidemic phenomena, varying in intensity and extent, since at least the Roman Empire. This is also the case when the global economy is affected by the pandemic. The business environment has radically evolved. The pandemic contributed to losses in many areas, the most influenced fields are the following: aviation, hospitality and tourism. Profits, on the other hand, relate to the Zoom company, which enables and facilitates videoconferencing, it is so important in the case of remote work. Online shops, such as Amazon, have also recorded an increase, especially during the closure of brick and mortar shops. Stock market increases were also observed among companies supplying food and food products. It should be emphasized, however, that the financial situation of individual companies also depends on the principals and permanent contracts.