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ESG investment relationship with financial performance of Russian companies

Author

Listed:
  • Anna I. Izgarova

    (AO InfoTeCS, Saint Petersburg, Russia)

  • Elena M. Rogova

    (Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia)

  • Olga V. Bakhareva

    (Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia)

Abstract

Despite the increased interest in socially and environmentally responsible investments, there is a lack of consensus about the effects they exert on companies’ financial performance. The paper examines the reaction of Russian companies’ stock prices to the news about ESG investments made by these companies. The theoretical basis is stakeholder theory suggesting that firms can achieve long-term success solely by protecting the interests of all their stakeholders – not only shareholders, but also employees, local communities, and future generations. To implement the research, we use the event study on a sample of 202 news items about ESG investments of 11 Russian companies topping the ESG-rating by RA-Expert agency. Data were collected from news search engine Factiva and Yahoo!Finance. The data sample include news and stock prices over the period of 2019–2022. According to the research findings, news about Russian companies’ investments in environmental projects, solution of social problems and corporate governance issues do not lead to a rise in stock returns for these companies. Thus, Russian investors do not consider ESG projects and practices as an important decision-making criterion that increases the investment attractiveness of companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna I. Izgarova & Elena M. Rogova & Olga V. Bakhareva, 2023. "ESG investment relationship with financial performance of Russian companies," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 14(3), pages 17-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:url:upravl:v:14:y:2023:i:3:p:17-29
    DOI: 10.29141/2218-5003-2023-14-3-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrey B. Ankudinov & Idelia R. Badykova, 2020. "Empirical analysis of the relationship between the costs of corporate social responsibility policy implementation and Russian companies’ financial performance," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 11(2), pages 16-26, April.
    2. Bela S. Bataeva & Aglaya D. Kokurina & Nikita A. Karpov, 2021. "The impact of ESG reporting on the financial performance of Russian public companies," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 12(6), pages 20-32, October.
    3. Gunnar Friede & Timo Busch & Alexander Bassen, 2015. "ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(4), pages 210-233, October.
    4. Alexandre Garel & Arthur Petit-Romec, 2021. "Investor rewards to environmental responsibility: Evidence from the COVID-19 crisis," Post-Print hal-03204216, HAL.
    5. Garel, Alexandre & Petit-Romec, Arthur, 2021. "Investor rewards to environmental responsibility: Evidence from the COVID-19 crisis," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    6. Fama, Eugene F, et al, 1969. "The Adjustment of Stock Prices to New Information," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 10(1), pages 1-21, February.
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    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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