Economic reforms in Russia: revival of stock exchanges.

August 16th, 2006

Two generations of the Soviet citizens did not know a word “stock exchange”. But all falls back into place. By 90-th years of XX century centralized national economy has deadlocked: commodity deficiency has swept away all from counters of shops, the hidden inflation and surplus of monetary weight have led to appearance of barter in the economy, to disorder of economic communications, recession of industrial production. It is the incomplete list of those problems that were preconditions for a new economic reform in Russia when in the beginning of 1990th years transition to market economy has begun. Then after sixty years’ of calm in Russia again there were stock exchanges which always were one of the major elements of the market. The stock exchange again became necessary.
These years in Russia the exchange boom begins. In the beginning of 1990 in Moscow there are first commodity exchanges - Russian commodity-raw (RCRE) and the Moscow commodity exchange (MCE) - the centers of marketing of those years on which then it was necessary up to half of all wholesale exchange turn of Russia. President of RCRE Konstantin Borovoj in the book “the Price of freedom” recollects, how then nobody trusted, that in Russia stock exchanges can revive. “One of my friends, - he writes, - which I torture most of all in occasion of an opportunity of opening of a stock exchange, has suggested to pay to me of ten thousand dollars that I have stopped these conversations and vanity…”. Really, all began with naked enthusiasm. Some person have simply gathered, risked to enclose in new business the of 30 thousand rubles.
In the beginning of 1990th years stock exchanges have arisen on all territory of the country. In a course there was a wood, sugar, electronics, a paper, building materials, bread, cars, computers and set of other goods. Soon Russia was beat out in world leaders by quantity of stock exchanges - them was totaled more than 1000. Certainly, the majority of them were not classical exchange structures. Many of stock exchanges as a matter of fact were simply fairs where traded in the real goods. But the role of a stimulator of trade and they have played wholly. People began to forget about so hated deficiency of the food and industrial goods.
These for the present not all clear quasi-exchange organizations – harbingers of something new - found to themselves a haven in any premises which could be rented for a while. To many budgetary organizations which are often not received the salary in time, it was necessary “to sin” with letting of rent of its space. Where only did not lodge new sprouts of market economy! Their neighbors were workers of research institutes, publishing houses, the ministries, factories; they removed premises on All-Union Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh), private apartments.

A building at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre in which there is a Moscow commodity exchange. The photo of 90th years of XX century

The first term transactions began to be made. On the Moscow commodity exchange (MCE) for the first time in the country transactions for the term with grain and a clap began to be spent. Hardly later to it the Moscow chamber of commerce (MCC) where the future for US dollar bargained joins.
Gradually this trade starts to get the organized character. Classical exchange platforms on which trade basically in financial actives (currency, securities, credits) crystallize. In due course in exchange movement all starts to sound a theme of the share market more clearly. By the end of 1992, according to the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the quantity of exchange share platforms has reached 22. On the largest commodity exchanges there are share departments. In 1992 the Moscow interbank currency stock exchange (MICSE) which all over again became the center of the organized trade in currency, and then was established by the main stock exchange of the country. 

A trading hall of the Russian stock exchange. A photo of 1998

With the beginning of process of privatization in 1993 in Moscow has opened Moscow international share (MISE) and Moscow central share stock exchanges (MCSSE). The Leningrad stock exchange is established. Trade in securities was started by the Siberian, Baltic and Nizhniy Novgorod stock exchanges. First time stock exchanges were often open for everything, with the right of paid participation of the visitors, not being members of a stock exchange. Usual auction sometimes practiced.
The classical share market that time yet was not. Stock exchanges should struggle for a survival. The majority of commodity exchanges began to trade in 1993 in nationally known vouchers (certificates on privatization), credits and monetary resources, broker places, securities for bearers, and also substitutes of securities. To such notorious tickets MMM, for example, concerned.
After more than semicentennial investment hibernation people again have become interested in securities. There was a hope to earn additionally: many have rushed to put the savings thawing from inflation in securities. It was necessary to something to prove nobody, all as though waited, when, at last, there will be such opportunity. But the market was young. It ill equipped participants was waited with “reefs” of share games: unscrupulous businessmen with financial “pyramids”, sharp loss of savings, it is frequent the last. As a result has come disappointment, and more likely, mistrust of the population to any securities.

The Moscow share center. The photo of 1998

 
The same years develops the exchange market for wholesale trade in currency. The center of interbank trade in a foreign currency became the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange, founded by Bank of Russia and leading commercial banks. In 1992-1993 regional currency stock exchanges in the key economic centers of the country are created. Their network was stretched from St.-Petersburg up to Vladivostok. A creation of the national market on trade in currency and securities on a united technological basis was possible after their unification around of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange.
Having received the license of Bank of Russia for the organization of operations of sale and purchase of a foreign currency, these stock exchanges gradually became universal exchange structures which, leaning on local banks, carried out trading and settlement operations, and also carried out functions of storage and the account of the rights to securities for participants of currency, share and term segments of the financial market.
Trade in the state short-term bonds, the state currency and municipal bonds, has begun. In the market the corporate securities emitted by the first private enterprises have started to address.
Revival of exchange trade in Russia has coincided on time with mass introduction in the financial world of information technologies, distribution of the Internet. Though the largest stock exchanges of the West continued to trade in classical way - “by vote on pit”, on a number of the Russian stock exchanges the integrated electronic systems for the organization of the trades began to take root. For the Russia which have stretched on nine time zones, it also was complex, as well as it is necessary. The first large project in this area became creation in 1993 on the basis of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange electronic trading-depositary systems which served the market of the state securities (state credit obligations-federal loan bonds).
In May, 1993 the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange has opened the exchange market state short-term zero-coupon bonds (state credit obligations). In the end of this year it has started the project of united electronic financial market “ETHER” - the inter-regional exchange trades in system of currency stock exchanges have begun. Since 1994 the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange has entered new technical and trading-depository complex, and with July 1994 has begun distribution of the removed terminals connected to trading-depository system of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange.
Its beginning was such. As a result in Russia there was the exchange platform possessing modern electronic trading system, serious potential of development and supporting an increasing securities market - state credit obligations, federal loan bond, then corporate securities and term tools. Then the trades by currency also are translated in system of the electronic trades (SELT). Introduction of the removed terminals enabled to create a universal computer stock exchange where in a mode of real time worked not only the Moscow investors, but also participants from other regions of the country.
In 1994 the Central republican universal stock exchange (CRSE) in Moscow starts to work. It has been opened for fulfillment of transactions by general public, including private persons. On it traded approximately in 50 kinds of demand securities and substitutes which most part then has completely disappeared from the reference. The share market then experienced illness of growth - the reference of pseudo-actives - substitutes of securities. The most popular were tickets MMM by means of which notorious adventurer-mathematician Sergey Mavrodi has constructed a huge pyramid. During its promotion mass advertising promised incomes up to 1000% annual, to resist what the most proof investors could not even. In annual report CRSE for 1994 it is possible to read through the interesting lines describing tickets МММ: “Behind tickets МММ definition “polytrophic production МММ” has strongly affirmed. However during long time they were the most popular paper. Occurrence of tickets of different face values, constant change by management of МММ of appearance of tickets, frequent refusals to accept for payment own releases of tickets, feverish throws of a rate of their buying up-sale in items МММ - all this has resulted work in the market of tickets in the category of the most brave, but also… the most profitable operations. Tickets МММ were the largest component in turn CRSE and gave those years approximately 40-50% of a turn of all stock exchanges of Russia. But unjustified incomes and poor papers have a short life: in 1994 the pyramid has failed, having left millions investors without means and for a long time having scared away investors from the share market.
In 1995 there has begun the activity the Russian trading system (RTS) on which stocks of the first privatized Russian enterprises bargained. On a plan of its founders, it was anything other, as computer over-the-counter system. Similar RTS can be named American computer market NASDAQ. The basic participants of RTS became brokers - members of National association of participants of the share market (NAPSM). Activity of RTS which has been constructed in view of the international standards, has allowed returning trust to the organized securities market. However its weak places were absence of guarantees of execution of transactions, and also orientation to service of the large broker companies with foreign participation. Nevertheless till 1998 on RTS consist more than half of transactions with the Russian stocks.
One of the last in 1990th years had been created the Moscow stock exchange (MSE). In the beginning of 1997 several tens of banks and the broker-dealer companies, and also four stock exchanges have created MSE. However its activity was limited to trade in stocks of the gas giant - Russian Open Society “Gazprom” and the Moscow municipal loans. Attempts to expand a spectrum of operations due to introduction in a turn of other share values and currency have not gone right.
Thus, rough process of formation of exchange structure of the financial market in Russia, predictably, crystallized in several classical stock exchanges. The interesting certificate of the middle of 1993 the newspaper has left to us “Exchange sheets” in which president of MCSE V. Pankin wrote: “The main thing during the last period consists in that in any measure to adjust the destroyed intereconomic communications. There was a process of transformation of many stock exchanges in associations, trading houses, the investment companies and so forth Commodity and raw stock exchanges send to future contracts on that goods which all over the world are considered exchange. As to stock exchanges now there was ten and a half. In the long term them will be even less - two-rub Moscow besides it is probable, in St.-Petersburg, in Ural, the Siberian, Far East regions “.
Rough exchange decade has yielded the fruits. There was a precise exchange system across all Russia, in central and industrial regions of the state, helping to work to the domestic financial market.

Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange (BCSE)

August 7th, 2006

I have written this blog for 1.5 month, but only several days ago I realize that I wrote about different foreign stock exchanges, but I’ve forgotten to write about the unique stock of my own country… About Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange… And today I’ll try to correct it!
The portrait of open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange”
The open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange” has been formed in 1998 in accordance with the Decree of the President of Belarus from July, 20th, 1998 №366 “About perfection of system of state regulation of the stock market”. Founders of a stock exchange became National bank of the Republic of Belarus (a control share holding), Fund of the state property of the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Belarus and a number of large banks of the Republic of Belarus.
The supreme body of management of open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange” is General meeting of shareholders. The structure of shareholders of a stock exchange, except for founders includes banks, the broker/dealer subsidiaries of republic, etc. The Management of a stock exchange between the General meetings of shareholders is carried out by the Supervisory council.
As of today of open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange” is the unique in republic trading platform on the basis of which the national system of the exchange trades on all basic segments of the financial market is created: currency, share and term. Except for the organization of the trades, the stock exchange carries out functions of the settlement depositary institution in the exchange market of not state securities, function of the operator of settlement-clearing system by all kinds of securities and tools of the term market, and also carries out registration of the transactions concluded on the over-the-counter market with stocks of open joint-stock companies and voucher “Housing”.
The foreign exchange market.
According to the Rules of exchange trade in the foreign currencies approved by the decision of Board of National bank of the Republic of Belarus 28/06/2001 №165 (read with 31/10/2003), open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange” it is allocated by the right of the organization of the trades by a foreign currency.
The trades by a foreign currency at a stock exchange are carried out within the limits of Section of the currency market. The exchange trades are spent daily with use of electronic system of the trades. The cores currencies quoted at a stock exchange are: US dollar, Euro, the Russian ruble and the Ukrainian hryvna. The rates generated on results of the exchange trades, today are included into the category of the basic indicators of the currency market. On results of the trades the National bank of the Republic of Belarus establishes official rates of the Belarus ruble in relation to US dollar and ruble of the Russian Federation.
The total volume of the trades by all kinds of currencies for 9 months of 2005 was made 10.6 billion of rubles or 4 912 million US dollars in an equivalent.
Stock market.
According to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus for many securities the stock exchange is a unique admissible jail of transactions. To such papers concern: the state issue securities, bonds of National bank of the Republic of Belarus, the bond of local loans and the securities of the open joint-stock companies last an estimation of quality and reliability (listing) and admitted to the reference at a stock exchange. To participation in the trades by securities members of Section of the share market are supposed only. Transactions with securities are made in universal electronic trading system. The opportunity to participate in the trades with use of the automated workplaces located in trading halls of a stock exchange, or through the removed trading terminals is given to members of Section of the share market. The trades by securities are spent daily in following modes: “Continuous double auction”, “REPO (the fixed pricing)”, “REPO (free pricing)”, “Discrete auction”, “Forward transactions”, “Simple auction”, “Simple auction REPO”. The given modes are effectively used for primary accommodation of securities, the organization of their secondary reference and maintenance of processes of privatization.
Now in sector of the state securities and securities of National bank auctions of the Ministry of Finance on accommodation of the state securities are spent, within the limits of the secondary reference transactions in modes “continuous double auction” and “REPO” are made, the National bank of the Republic of Belarus on a regular basis spends simple auctions REPO. On the given segment of the market the institute a market-makers functions. Since September, 1st, 2005 the index on the market government securities/short-term bonds of the National bank of the Republic of Belarus pays off and published.
In sector of not state securities transactions with stocks and bonds of subjects of managing are made at primary accommodation and the secondary reference, and also privatization transactions. The fund of the state property of the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Belarus uses exchange technologies for the organization of auctions on sale of actions belonging to the state for a foreign currency and the Belarus rubles, “discrete auction” and other accessible modes of the trades realizes state blocks of shares of stocks in a mode. Since October, 7th of 2005 in sector of not state securities the regular trades by bonds of banks have begun.
Participants of the trades can make transactions with not state securities with following conditions of calculations: T+0 (delivery of money and securities in day of fulfillment of the transaction), T+n (delivery of money and securities in the day certain by participants during the moment of fulfillment of the transaction), and also the transactions made on conditions REPO.
The total volume of the exchange trades by securities of all kinds for 9 months of 2005 has made 7.0 billion of rubles, or 3.2 billion of US dollars.
According to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus the stock exchange carries out obligatory registration of all accomplished on the over-the-counter market of transactions with securities of the open joint-stock companies, and also since January, 25th, 2005 transactions with nominal privatization checks “Housing”. For nine months of 2005 by a stock exchange it has been registered 1066 over-the-counter transactions with stocks of open joint-stock company for a total sum of 15.96 billion rubles (7.4 million of US dollars) and 33653 transactions with  voucher “Housing” at actual cost of 19083,7 million rubles (on a face-value 24.0 million rubles). For service of processes of registration system BEQAS functioning on the basis of the Internet-technologies is used.
The term market.
Since October, 2004 the stock exchange has started trading by financial tools of the term market on a constant basis. The exchange trades by tools of the term market are spent in electronic trading system every working day simultaneously on all tools in a mode “continuous double auction”. As participants of the trades act the members of Section of the term market. Calculations under made transactions are spent in uniform settlement-clearing system, in which function of a clearing bank carries out National bank of the Republic of Belarus, and function of clearing - a stock exchange. The toolkit of the given market is presented by future contracts on rates of foreign currencies and interest rates in the market of the state securities.
Information work.
The major principle of the organization of activity of a stock exchange is development of information technologies and increase of a transparency of the financial market of republic. With a view of realization of the given principle by a stock exchange it is created and successfully functions three basic automated information products: the official Internet-site of a stock exchange, the Belarusian automated quoted system of a stock exchange (BEQAS), Information system “Stock market”. The official Internet-site of open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange” is the central element of system of disclosing of the information by results of activity of a stock exchange in the currency, share and term markets.
“The Share market” accumulates data about a condition and the processes occurring on a republican securities market. The basic suppliers of the information are open joint-stock company “Belarus currency-stock exchange”, Committee under securities at Ministerial council, National bank, the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Finance. Except for the data, directly concerning the stock market, in system the information on a condition of the currency and monetary market is concentrated; contain actual financial and social and economic news of Belarus, the CIS countries and the world.
BEQAS is the information-quoted system functioning on the basis of the Internet-technologies, intended for search of the counterpart for fulfillment of transactions with various kinds of securities, and also serving processes of obligatory registration in the unorganized market of transactions with stocks of the open joint-stock companies and the nominal privatization checks “Housing” accomplished on the over-the-counter market. For today the system is the only thing in republic a high-grade source of the information on a condition the over-the-counter market of the Belarusian enterprises.
Besides the stock exchange acts as the supplier of the information for republican news agencies, and also the leading mass-media focused on illumination of world economic processes.

History of the Frankfurt stock exchange.

July 24th, 2006

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History of the Frankfurt stock exchange begins with the occurrence of medieval fairs. In the middle of 9 centuries king the Louis has given the preferable right to Frankfurt to spend annual autumn fairs. With 1330 when king the Louis IV Bavarian has expanded advantage and has resolved annual spring fairs, the city became the major center of trading and monetary operations.
Already in the beginning of 16 century, owing to the well-known fairs, Frankfurt becomes so prospering, that German monk Martin Luther names city “a silver and gold chink” of German empire.
As a result of flight to Frankfurt of Dutch and French dealers hided from prosecution because of their Protestant belief, in 16 century mass trade and bank sector are established in Frankfurt. Merchants from all parts of the Europe came to Frankfurt to borrow in trade.
Because of that neither in the Europe, nor in the German empire there was no uniform currency, the various countries have been shattered into numerous small economic regions, in each of which there was a monetary unit, realization of payments was the extremely difficult. Abundance of means of the payment, the unregulated exchange rate promoted development of swindle and usury. In 1585 the Frankfurt merchants have agreed about use of the fixed exchange rates of various monetary units. This date is considered the moment of a birth of the Frankfurt stock exchange. With 1585 during each fair the group of merchants periodically gathered for updating uniform and obligatory exchange rates of various monetary units. The first official list of exchange rates has appeared in 1625 the oldest list of exchange rates of the Frankfurt stock exchange, kept up to now, concerns to 1721.
First meetings of merchants were spent on the area in front of the Frankfurt town hall. And only in 1694/1695 there was a first building of a stock exchange in Frankfurt (Großer Braunfels) - the most significant and spacious building of city.
In 1682 have been put into operation the first necessary rules and norms of a stock exchange, the organizational structure of the Frankfurt stock exchange has been generated.
Down to the end of 18 centuries at a stock exchange traded exclusively in coins and bills. Only in the end 18 century begin periodic trade in bonds.
In 1707 at the next assembly the management of a stock exchange has officially approved trading agents - representatives of merchants. In 1808 the Chamber of commerce has been organized. The Frankfurt stock exchange created approximately 223 years ago as private association of businessmen, has turned to public establishment, already in first half of 19 centuries having passed in submission of the Chamber of commerce.
In the middle of 19 centuries the new prestigious building of a stock exchange under the project of the known architect in Frankfurt Friedrich Peiper, located near church St Paul’s Church has been constructed, it was opened in 1843.
Industrial revolution in Germany favored to development of financing of expensive projects through issue of stocks. The first quotation of the stocks is dated 1820 though as a whole the basic place of trade in 19 century was borrowed exclusively with bonds. In comparison with the largest European stock exchanges, the Frankfurt stock exchange treated coldly enough trade in stocks of numerous known corporations. In 1850 the Frankfurt stock exchange was generated as the center of trade mainly by the state bonds and the state interest bearing securities.
The new building of the Frankfurt stock exchange has been arisen in 1879. Construction has been carried out under projects of known architects of Frankfurt - Heinrich Burnitz and Oskar Sommer. Perhaps, this construction was the most successful - functionality of a stock exchange was perfectly combined with its prestige. Besides a new building of the Frankfurt stock exchange.
After unification of Germany in 1871 the Berlin stock exchange began to play the central role in the share market. It became the center of trade of the period when only in Prussia for the period with 1870 on 1974 there were 857 joint-stock companies. And by the end of a century in the country already 29 stock exchanges operated. Despite of it Frankfurt had an opportunity to defend the rights as the center of exchange trade.
In the end of 19 centuries for Frankfurt there was an absolute necessity of adaptation to a general economic situation in the country. With the purpose to keep the prestige of economic capital Frankfurt has changed the policy and has increased trade in stocks. This aspiration of Frankfurt to creation of the present stock exchange has collided with prevalence of the Berlin stock exchange.
The First World War and its consequences have delivered the hardest blow on the Frankfurt stock exchange. Foreign stocks and bonds were sold out to German investors because of fear of aggression from the oppositional states, free money resources were put only in the state bonds. By the end of war all foreign securities have disappeared from German quoted lists, as a result of it Frankfurt has lost the status of the international stock exchange. By the end of war all the international contacts of the Frankfurt stock exchange have been broken off and began to be restored only in 20th years. The short period of stability and well-being was replaced in 1929 by crisis. Economic crisis was and earlier. Same it has appeared unique on depth of falling of manufacture, on scales of scope of economic and on duration. The reason for that is in frustration of economic after the First World War. Fragile was a German economy. In 1931 German stock exchanges have been compelled to stop the functioning temporarily.
Fascist movement has arisen in Germany after the First World War. The German fascism differed extreme nationalism and racism. Fast growth of fascism fell to years of an economic crisis. The economy has been transformed. The state began to adjust it to accelerate an output from crisis and to create a powerful war industry. It has established the control over the prices, wages, has subordinated businessmen to the state bodies. Fascists aspired to establish the control over stock exchanges of some the states. The Frankfurt stock exchange in 1935 has merged with Mannheim Stock Exchange, then having absorbed Rhine - Main Stock Exchange. Frankfurt stock exchange, functioning as “an internal stock exchange”, in essence was not of great importance and did not carry out the major functions. The Nazi economic policy braked development of the free share market.
In 1944 has begun the final stage of the Second World War. The building of the Frankfurt stock exchange has been strongly damaged during an air strike. Meetings of stockbrokers now could be spent only in cellars of a building. After crash of a fascist mode in 1945 the Frankfurt stock exchange remained closed. However in September, 1945 the Frankfurt stock exchange, first of the German stock exchanges, has opened again.
As a result of currency reform 1948 and growing strengthening of the German economy the Frankfurt stock exchange gradually has found the former importance and played the leading part in Germany. After lead in 1992 the Frankfurt stock exchange became connected by reorganization directly not with Commercial and industrial chamber, and with joint-stock company the German stock exchange.
The German stock exchange represents joint-stock company, 81 % of actions belong to banks, 10 % - to regional stock exchanges, 9 % - to brokers. The German stock exchange runs the Frankfurt stock exchange and the German stock exchange of urgent contracts - Eurex. To this joint-stock company belong and are its branches the depositary-clearing system, information system and the Society of assistance to development of stock exchanges in Central and the East Europe.
In May 2000 there was a sensational merge of the London stock exchange to German stock exchange, to formation of a new interethnic stock exchange iX. A trading platform of a new stock exchange became German computer system XETRA. Incorporated stock exchange International Exchanges, or iX, becomes the largest share market in the Europe and serious counterbalance to Wall-Street.

Stock exchange in Saint-Petersburg… (conclusion).

July 17th, 2006

Today I’d like to finish the story about Saint-Petersburg Stock exchange…
Kinds of the securities presented at the Saint-Petersburg Stock exchange.
The Share market has been presented in 1830 by:
- the state and city bonded loans which shared on short-term (till 1 year), long-term and termless (the original rent)
- continuously profitable, basically denominations in 100 thousand rubles.
- mortgage sheets and bonds of ground banks and private establishments of the long-term credit;
- bonds and stocks of the private companies (stocks were issued only by the commercial enterprises, and bonds as the state and bodies of city self-management). Bonds were issued basically by denominations from 100 up to 5000 rubles, termless loans - in 100 thousand rubles. Bonds and other securities with the state guarantee could not be a subject of Exchange frauds, unlike stocks of the private companies and other securities. Last third of XIX century the most popular were stocks of private railways. The share market of 1995 differs a little:
- the state securities;
- municipal bonds and loans;
- the securities emitted by commercial bank;
- stocks and bonds of the privatized enterprises;
- securities of the private emitters created outside of process of privatization.
The following - current liabilities. They are issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation in the paperless form. The purpose is repayment of debts to the enterprises - suppliers to the state orders and mutual payment between the enterprises. Current liabilities become the securities after the term specified in the global certificate of release. Face value of 1 current liability is 1 million rubles, the fixed profitableness at repayment - 40 %.
During the same period of time have appeared Bonds of the State Savings Loan. They are issued in the cash form, face value from 100 thousand up to 500 thousand rubles. Four times a year the coupon income established depending on profitableness of state credit obligations (the State Short-term Obligations) is paid. Sale is made on auctions which are spent or in the form of voice (calculations between participants), or electronic (calculations directly with depository of the Stock exchanges) the trades. A securities market of 1830
- The state and city bonded loans,
- mortgage sheets and bonds of ground banks and private establishments of the long-term credit,
- bonds and stocks of the private companies.
Stocks of private railways are most popular; a securities market in 1992:
- the state securities,
- municipal bonds and loans,
- the securities emitted by commercial bank,
- stocks and bonds of the privatized enterprises, - securities of the private emitters created outside of process of privatization. The state securities are most popular.
Legal aspects.
Initially according to “the companies and stocks” of 1836: all Operations on the stock exchange have been forbidden by Regulations about, but already there was a law on obligatory use of registered stocks. In 1893 have been entered restrictions on carrying out of operations with securities without the share broker. Books of the share broker submitted to audit of the Ministry of Finance, and its chapter could dismiss brokers for abusing, not asking on that of the consent of Exchange committee. Without the permission of financial department it was forbidden to enter securities into the quotation.
On June, 27th, 1900 at the Petersburg Stock exchange the share department, as “a department which was laid down in special conditions of activity” has been created. The department submitted to the Ministry of Finance on especial office by a credit part which began to interfere with activity of the share market.
In 1907 Rules for transactions on purchase and sale of a foreign currency, funds and stocks at the Petersburg Stock exchange have been founded. The bulletin of a share department of the Stock exchange became the official document; the rates specified in it - obligatory for all Russian empire. Brokers were sworn, represented the mortgage and for execution of the transactions concluded at their participation, answered within the limits of data to them of decrees. For the infringements noticed by officials of the Ministry of Finance, could exclude from full members and regular customers.
Nowadays members of the Stock exchange representatives of broker firms, banks, associations, and the dealers, brought a share can be. Physical persons for membership in he Stock exchange should have the certificate of the state bodies on the right of carrying out of transactions with securities. All members of the Stock exchange should correspond to qualifying requirements. By position 1997 the number of members should be not less than 20. The input on a stock exchange is limited. Members of controls, officials, employees of the Stock exchange have the right of a free admission.
 Thank you for your attention and I hope this information will be useful…:)

Securities markets.

July 11th, 2006

To my mind it would be necessary to know a little bit more about securities markets, than I know now. As I have already said securities are bought and sold at two types of securities mar¬kets: primary markets, which issue new securities, and second¬ary markets, where previously issued securities are bought and sold. If a company wants to sell a new issue of stock or bonds it usually negotiates with an investment bank, or underwriter, who sells the securities for it. The underwriter buys the securities from the corporation and resells then to individual investors through the secondary market.
Organized security exchanges have developed to make the buying and selling of securities easier. The securities exchanges consist of the individual investors, brokers, and intermediaries who deal in the purchase and sale of securities. Security exchanges do not buy or sell securities; they simply provide the location and services for the brokers who buy and sell.
A stockbroker handles stock transactions. A stockbro¬ker buys and sells securities for clients. Stockbrokers act on the clients’ orders. Stockbrokers receive a fee and are associated with a brokerage house. To trade on the exchange, a “seat” must be purchased. A seat is a membership. The members represent stockbrokers. When a stockbroker calls in an order to sell, the member representing that broker looks for a buyer at the price requested. When a broker calls in an order to buy, the exchange member looks for a buyer at the price offered.
The largest and best-known exchange in the USA is the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) also called the “Big Board”. There are 1,300 seats on the NYSE and approximately 2,000 stocks and 3,400 bonds are traded daily. In. order to be listed on the NYSE, a firm has to meet the following requirements:
1. Pretax earnings of at least $2.5 million in the previous year.
2. Tangible assets of at least $16 million
3. At least 1 million shares of stock publicly held, and others.
The second largest stock exchange in the USA is the Ameri¬can Stock Exchange (AMEX). It is located in Manhattan and has about 500 full members and 400 associate members. AMEX oper¬ates in much the same way as NYSE, but smaller companies may qualify for listing.
There are also regional stock exchanges that serve regional markets.
The over the counter market (OTC) sells and buys unlisted securities outside of the organized securities exchanges. About 5,000 brokers of OTC are scattered all over the country. They trade unlisted stocks and bonds by phone and keep in contact with each other.
The prices of the securities are established by supply and demand. Electronic screens in the offices of the brokerage firms display OTC transactions, so brokers continually keep cus¬tomers up to date on the latest prices.
Options are traded on the major stock exchanges, but also on a special market for options, the Chicago Bond Options Ex¬change (СВОЕ).

What does mean the term financial market?

July 4th, 2006

Equity market is a great part of financial market, that’s why it’s very important to understand what does mean the term financial market.
Financial markets provide a forum in which suppliers of funds and demanders of loans and investments can transact business directly. Whereas the loans and investments of institutions are made without the direct knowledge of the supplier of funds (savers), suppliers in the financial markets know where their funds are being lent or invested. The two key financial markets are the money market and the capital market. Transactions in short-term debt instruments, or marketable securities, take place in the money market. Long-term securities (bonds, stocks, etc.) are traded in the capital market.
The money market is created by a financial relationship between suppliers and demanders of short-terms funds, which have the maturities of one year or less. The money market exist because certain individuals, businesses, governments and financial institutions have temporarily idle funds that they wish to put in some type of liquid assets or short-term, interest-earning instruments. At the same time, other individuals, business, governments and financial institutions find themselves in need of seasonal or temporary financing. The money market thus brings together this suppliers and demanders of short-term liquid funds.
The capital market is a financial relationship created by a number of institutions and arrangements that allows the suppliers and demanders of long-term funds – funds with maturities of more than one year – to make transactions. The backbone of the capital market is formed by the securities exchanges that provide a forum for debt and equity transactions. Major securities traded in the capital market include bonds and both common and preferred stock.
All securities, whether in the money or capital markets, are initially issued in the primary market. This is the only market in which the corporate or government issuer is directly involved in the transaction and receives direct benefit from the issue – that is, the company actually receives the proceeds from the sale of securities. Once the security begins trade among individuals, businesses, governments or financial institutions, savers and investors, they become part of the secondary market. The primary market is the one in which “new” securities are sold; the secondary market can be viewed as an “issued” or “preowned” securities market.
During the last two decades the Euromarket – which provides for borrowing and lending currencies outside their country of origin – has grown quite rapidly. The Euromarket provides multinational companies with an “external” opportunity to borrow or lend funds with the additional feature or less government regulation.

Where do companies obtain its capital to exist?

July 3rd, 2006

The capital of a business consists of the funds used to start and run the business. The funds can be either the owner’s (equity capital) or creditor’s (debt capital). Equity capital consists of those funds provided to the business by the owner’s. These funds come from the personal savings of the owner. Debt capital consists of borrowed funds that the business owner owes to the lender. With debt capital the entrepreneur doesn’t have to share ownership, but has a legal obligation to repay the borrowed money (principal) plus interest at a future date even if the business does not make profit.
Equity financing (obtaining owner funds) can be exemplified by the sale of corporate stock. In this type of transaction, the corporation sells units of ownership known as shares of stock. Each share entitles purchaser to a certain amount of ownership. For example, if someone buys 100 shares of stock from Ford Motor Company, that person has purchased 100 shares worth of Ford resources, materials, plants, production and profits. The person purchases shares of stock is known as stockholder or shareholder.
All corporations, regardless of their size, receive their starting capital from issuing and selling shares of stock. The initial sales involve some risk on the part of the buyers because corporation has no record of performance. If the corporation is successful, the stockholder may profit through increased valuation of the shares of stock, as well as by receiving dividends. Dividends are proportional amounts of profit usually paid quarterly to stockholders. However, if the corporation is not successful, the stockholder may take losses on the initial stock investment.
Often equity financing does not provide the corporation with enough capital and it must turn to debt financing, or borrowing funds. One example of debts financing is the sale of corporate bonds. In this type of agreement, the corporation borrows money from investor in return for bond. The bond has maturity date, a deadline when the corporation must repay all of the money it has borrowed. The corporation must also make periodic interest payment to the bondholder during the time the money is borrowed. If these obligations are not met, the corporation can be forced to sell its assets in order to make payments to the bondholders.
So the investments in bonds are less profitable, but at the same time less risky for investor. Although for issuer is more preferably to obtain capital through issuing shares of stock.
All businesses need financial support. Equity financing (as in the sale of stock) and debt financing (as in the sale of bonds) provide important means by which a corporation may obtain its capital.

Types of securities

June 29th, 2006

To my mind, first of all I should gain an understanding of types of securities. As far as I know there are many types of securities. And how can I choose some of them with the highest expected return and liquidity and the lowest risks? I want understand why I should buy or sell exactly this or that type of security. So let’s try to investigate…
            In theory there are several groups of securities:

  • Fixed Income Securities;
  •  Investment Funds;
  • Units & Trusts;
  • Options, Warrants & Rights;
  • Futures Contracts.

So, equity securities: common shares, restricted voting shares, preferred shares, flow-through shares.
As far as I understand securities of this group have practically the same liquidity. As for expected return: the capital gains potential of common shares is usually higher than for preferred shares of the same company. And return on flow-through shares will depend on the potential tax benefits to the investor. Then risks… The most risky securities of this group are flow-through shares, if I’m not mistaken. But all risks of all of them are moderate to high. So among securities of this group I’ll choose common shares. To my mind the balance of return and risks is the best!
The second group: savings bonds, bonds, debentures, treasury bills (T-bills), Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs).

Type

Liquidity

Expected Return

Risk

savings bonds

low

fixed rate of return

very low

bonds

moderate

fixed rate

low to high

debentures

moderate

fixed rate

low to high

treasury bills

moderate

determined by the difference between the purchase price and the value of the T-bill at maturity

very low

Guaranteed Investment Certificates

low

fixed rate

low to moderate

If I’m not mistaken investment of money in treasury bills is more profitable. Yes, among securities of this group I will choose exactly treasury bills.
            The third group and investments funds: shares or units of Mutual Funds, shares or units of Closed-End Investment Funds, units of Segregated Funds and shares of Labour-Sponsored Investment Funds.

Type

Liquidity

Expected Return

Risk

shares or units of Mutual Funds

low

depend on the fund’s investment objectives
low to very high, depend on the type of securities
shares or units of Closed-End Investment Funds

moderate

depend on the fund’s investment objectives

low to very high

units of Segregated Funds

moderate

depend on the fund’s investment objectives

low to high

shares of Labour-Sponsored Investment Funds
low
depend on the performance of the fund’s investments

high

Then go units and trusts: limited partnership units and trust units.

Type

Liquidity

Expected Return

Risk

Limited Partnership Units

low and limited to the initial investment
I don’t belive in high level of income here

moderate to very high

Trust Units

low

I don’t belive in high level of income here

low to high

As I understand these two groups of securities aren’t very profitable. Probably I am mistaken or badly came to know the particulars of these types of securities. But I wouldn’t invest my money neither in investments funds nor in units and trusts. I don’t have a great sum of money and want to realize a profit quickly, during a short period of time.
The next group is options, warrants and rights.

Type
Liquidity
Expected Return
Risk
Options
high
depend on changes in the market value
very low to very high

Warrants

high

depend on changes in the market value
very low to very high

Rights

moderate

depend on changes in the market value

moderate to very high

             To my mind this group is very interesting if you have goods and can deliver it by the terms of contract. But if you want only to speculate at the stock market, investments in such types of securities will be too risky.
And finally futures contracts…

Type
Liquidity
Expected Return
Risk
futures contracts
depend on the type of underlying asset
depend on changes in the value of the underlying asset
very low to very high

Future contracts… Yes these securities are profitable and extensively used securities at the stock market. But… But, as with the previous group, speculation with future contracts is very risky.
So taking into account my own capital, time and expectations of high future return and not very high risks, common shares will be more acceptable type of securities for me…

The oldest stock exchange in the world…

June 27th, 2006

Did you ever think about such questions as when and where the first stock exchange appeared? It was very interesting for me to try to get to know of its story.
So, I’d like to impart this information to you. Predecessors to modern stock exchange were medieval fairs where people could buy or sell bills of exchange. First it was in France in 12th century. There appeared guys who managed and regulated the debts of agricultural communities on behalf of the banks. We could call them first brokers.
Venetian bankers began to trade in government securities in the middle of the 13th century. Later the Dutch started joint stock companies, which let shareholders invest in business ventures. Then the Dutch East India Company issued the first shares on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in 1611. It was the first company to issue stocks and bonds. And the Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world that exists at present time.
Right up to 1913 the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was the universal exchange where traders sold and bought both goods and seсurities. Just here all methods of security trade (for example, term deals, options, carry-over deals, margin deals, etc.) came into the world.
The technique of security trade was similar to the technique of exchange trade of goods, but insensibly the specific rules of conduct were elaborated. The greatest complexity for traders was the prohibition, which was implemented in 1622, “not to make the air blue”.
At the begining the access to the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was free; any trader had the right to to make bargain with anyone. Conclusion contract finished with the hand shake, which was one of the rules of the stock exchange.
As for stocks, only stocks of the first stock company in the Netherlands (Joint East India Company) circulated at the Stock Exchange.
The stock exchange based in Amsterdam merged on September 22, 2000 with the Brussels Stock Exchange and the Paris Stock Exchange to form Euronext, and is now known as Euronext Amsterdam.
The second according to the time of origing was the stock market of Great Britain. Exactly at the England territory made its appearance the first specialised exchange, when in 1773 London brokers rented a specil accommodation for their meetings. Membership at the stock exchange the same way as at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was free, anyone who wished were able to take part in trade, but he had to pay for it 6 pence per day.

 

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