Marek Zinecker

Trends in IPOs: The Evidence from CEE Capital Markets

The purpose of this paper is to investigate IPO developments across five CEE countries between 2003 and 2012. Using a wider range of methods and different data sets we intend to complement the previous research. Applying descriptive statistics, relevant local developments are analysed first before being compared with leading European markets (London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Borse). We also investigated the assumption that a growing market has an explanatory power for the accelerating IPO activity. For this purpose we performed a Spearman correlation analysis. The data were evaluated at the significance level of α = 5 %. All CEE capital markets recorded strong dynamism over the observed period. All fundamental capital market parameters increase the attractiveness of individual capital markets, although their values lag behind developed European capital countries. The sole leader in the region is Poland with a flourishing IPO market. Our assumption that a growing market has a positive impact on IPO activities could not be supported by empirical evidence.

Liquidity, probability of bankruptcy and the corporate life cycle: the evidence from Czech Republic

The paper is focused on the analysis of liquidity and probability of bankruptcy on the different stages of the corporate life cycle (CLC) as growth, maturity and recession. After the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2007-2008 many companies have appeared at the stage of recession or even bankruptcy. This study examines the financial performances of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Czech Republic at the different stages of corporate life cycle during the period 2006-2010 (which includes the year before financial crisis and after). We find that corporate life cycle influences the relation between bankruptcy probability and liquidity. There is a negative and strong relation between profitability and liquidity at the stage of growth and maturity. In addition, the strong and negative relation is found between coverage ratio and liquidity ratio at the stage of decline. However, there is a weak effect of activity on liquidity at all stages of corporate life cycle.

Why Do Companies Stay Private? Determinants for IPO Candidates to Consider in Poland and the Czech Republic

We surveyed sixty-five chief financial officers (CFOs) at nonpublic and nonfinancial companies in the Czech Republic and Poland that are considered candidates for an initial public offering (IPO) to document their propensity to decline to launch an IPO and maintain private ownership. First, we found that the main arguments against launching an IPO in both countries involve information disclosure and limitations on decision-making control. Surprisingly, the majority of the managers do not see the capital market as a source of cheaper and more flexible financing compared to bank loans and other sources. In terms of exogenous factors, Polish CFOs are opportunistic with regard to the timing of an IPO. They view “the window of opportunity” in terms of overall business and industry conditions as significantly more important than do their Czech counterparts. Czech CFOs rank IPO-related demands on time and costs as the main obstacle to going public. Finally, Czech CFOs agree that a lack of confidence in the capital market is their major concern more frequently than do their Polish peers.

Institutional Determinants of Private Equity Market in Czech Republic

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2017/10-4/7 ABSTRACT. A well-functioning private equity and venture capital market is affected by a range of institutional aspects. This study intends to answer the question on what is the current tax and legal environment for private equity and venture capital investments in Czech Republic as previous studies have emphasized that a rather poor scope of resources available. Qualitative data with content analysis proved to be the best way to assess the institutional framework. Data collection methods cover a comparative analysis of scientific literature documents and reports, as well as primary data from interviews with experts in the industry. The results of both secondary and primary data analysis were categorized and serious gaps in the institutional framework were identified and discussed. Our results indicate that the issue of legal and organisational structure suitable for private equity and venture capital funds may be resolved through a national equivalent to a Limited Partnership which has already been adopted into Czech law. However, a tax handicap was identified implying that it is necessary to amend the tax legislation so that the legal regulation extends the tax exemption. Another amendment should then be directed towards eliminating or mitigating the barriers imposed on pension. We believe that our findings provide valuable implications for the government, banks, stock exchanges and venture capital industry while formulating new strategies how to increase the level of investments in this specific environment of Czech Republic.

Trends in IPOs: The Evidence From Financial Markets

This paper deals with the analysis of initial public offerings of shares in terms of their quantity and the amount of capital raised by this form of financing on the world markets. Relevant global developments will be analyzed first, followed by a description of regional situation. The analysis is based on secondary data which are processed by descriptive statistics methods. The analysis of IPO trends on the world markets indicates that, in the period of 2004-2007, IPO-based financing of corporate growth gained in importance on both developed and emerging markets. The IPO segment was dominated by the largest emerging markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and at the same time the US American and Western European markets decline in their importance. The world-wide economic crisis of 2008 suppressed the interest in new IPOs, particularly in the developed economies. As the economy of most countries is beginning to revive, the interest in the IPO approach from businesses and investors is on the rise. It can be expected that, in the next few years, the arena of initial public offerings will be dominated by visionary companies operating on emerging markets where the execution of an IPO will constitute the key element in securing the capital essential for further expansion.

Private Equity and Venture Capital: Investment Fund Structures in Europe

Suitable legal fund structures for private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) investments and their tax treatment have been considered as a key factor for stimulating the business environment. The Czech Venture Capital Association stresses that legal barriers are an important reason behind the limited scope of resources available to domestic PE/VC funds. Legal barriers prevent the establishment of a standard PE/VC fund in the territory of the Czech Republic, which fact in turn has a negative impact on the level of development of the domestic PE/VC market. In order to encourage the development of the market, this paper addresses filling the existing research gap concerning the following issues of the Czech PE/VC market: How the current Czech legislation regulates the legal fund structures for PE/VC investments? What is the tax treatment of PE/VC funds and individual investors in the Czech Republic? What are the legal and tax regulations on the main European markets for PE/VC? What are the key requirements for improvements of the current situation on the Czech PE/VC market? The nature of this study is explorative and it relies on primary and secondary data. Results of the study stress that the non-existence of the Limited Partnership legal form in particular is a weak spot of the current Czech legislation. The only Czech legal structure for PE/VC investments - the Qualified Investor Fund - does not sufficiently accommodate the requirements of market participants. Inadequate manner of market regulations can also be pointed out in addition to inflexible corporate law, tax obstructions and non- transparency of the current structures. In conclusion this study formulates proposals how to change the existing corporate law and the regulation of the PE/VC financial market segment in the Czech Republic. The proposals are based on models provided by selected European countries and create suitable conditions for a successful development of the Czech PE/VC market.

Private Equity and Venture Capital: an Empirical Analysis

The paper deals with the analysis of the private equity and venture capital investment and divestment trends and activities on the European market, particularly on the market of Central and Eastern Europe ( CEE ), in times of economic crises 2007-2009. The analysis is based on the data published by the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association ( EVCA ), the Czech Private Equity and Venture Capital Association ( CVCA ) and the Bundesverband Deutscher Kapitalbeteiligungsgesellschaften (BVK). The economic crisis in 2008-2009 caused a rapid cooling of the European market. Private equity and venture capital management companies located in Europe have decreased significantly both investment and divestment activity. The economic crisis on CEE market showed a delay and a lower intensity in comparison with Western Europe. CEE market is, however, underdeveloped. This argument is supported by the data indicating annual investment and divestment value, and number of companies received private equity financing.