"Scientific research" Almanac

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  ECONOMIC GROWTH IN TIMES OF CRISIS – MYTH OR REALITY IN THE BSEC COUNTRIES

  The paper presents a study of the economic development of the countries from the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) block as an opportunity to assess the rate and pace of their economic development and the opportunities for Bulgaria, Romania and Greece (the EU member-states in BSEC) to develop their growth potential. Especially important (in ... The paper presents a study of the economic development of the countries from the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) block as an opportunity to assess the rate and pace of their economic development and the opportunities for Bulgaria, Romania and Greece (the EU member-states in BSEC) to develop their growth potential. Especially important (in times of global financial and economic crisis) is the relation be¬tween the GDP and the ability of free foreign trade economies to establish growth factors. The study focuses on the economic potential within the BSEC in terms of the main trends and growth factors in the BSEC economies. The aim of this study is to provide a critical analysis of the economic development trends of the BSEC countries in terms of identification of key factors supporting economic growth in the 21st century. The study is structured in two parts. The first part presents a comparative monitoring analysis of the trends in the key macroeconomic indicators for the period 2003-2010 in the BSEC countries. The second part presents growth rate models of the BSEC countries in terms of the level of openness of their economies and the dynamics of their export and import flows.

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  INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES ON THE CAPITAL MARKET OF MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES

  There are still opinions in professional circles about the danger of financial derivatives and their blame for the current crisis. At the same time there are isolated studies regarding the specific effects of derivatives and they have a narrow focus – a separate tool, limited market and time. The current study looks for arguments about the actual ... There are still opinions in professional circles about the danger of financial derivatives and their blame for the current crisis. At the same time there are isolated studies regarding the specific effects of derivatives and they have a narrow focus – a separate tool, limited market and time. The current study looks for arguments about the actual influence of financial derivatives on the capital market in terms of studying the biggest West European exchanges with options and futures based on their instruments. An analysis is made of the most fundamental market indicators: exchange turnovers – in a premium value and number of contracts, open positions, movement of indexes, volatility, etc. The results of the correlative, comparative and traditional investment analyses lead to the fundamental findings: derivative trading improves market liquidity of the basic capital instruments and aids their risky management, the activity of derivative exchanges is more stable in years of crisis than that of the stock exchanges, which indicates a better risk-return correlation; an analogous analysis of the Russian markets for the same period corroborates some findings and shows some interesting differences in investment behaviour. In terms of methodology the parallel analysis between main indicators such as: exchange volumes, option rate and open positions enable the indication of fundamental changes in investment behaviour and of occurring financial and economic cataclysms.

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  A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE FIELD OF „GENERAL INSURANCE”

  The present article makes a comparative analysis of the activities of insurance companies based on officially published information. It argues that the evaluation of the activities of insurance companies in Bulgaria should be based not only on generated premium income, but also on financial indicators. In this context, an assessment is made of the ... The present article makes a comparative analysis of the activities of insurance companies based on officially published information. It argues that the evaluation of the activities of insurance companies in Bulgaria should be based not only on generated premium income, but also on financial indicators. In this context, an assessment is made of the return on sales and return on equity of the insurance companies operating in the field of „General insurance”.