Information agency Credinform prepared a ranking of companies engaged in sugar manufacturing.

Companies with the mentioned activity type and the highest volume of revenue were selected for this ranking according to the data from the Statistical Register for the latest available period (for the year 2013). The enterprises were ranked by decrease in sales revenue. Total liquidity ratio was calculated for all companies of the ranking.

Total liquidity ratio (x) is a sum of working assets of the company to long-term liabilities. It shows the sufficiency of funds for repayment of short-term liabilities. The recommended value varies from 1,0 to 2,0.

The ratio assesses the liquidity of assets more overall. Since current liabilities are repaid mainly by means of current assets, the normal liquidity level requires the excess of current assets value over the sum of current liabilities. The normal value of the ratio is not less than 1. However, the industry classification of the company, structure of reserves, status of accounts receivable, production lead time and other factors influence the normal value.

The value of 1 supposes the equity of current assets and liabilities. Considering that the liquidity level of various assets parts differ significantly, one can concede that not all assets will be immediately realized or realized at the whole cost. This can invite a danger of weakening the company’s financial situation. Moreover, the enterprise should have some volume of inventories to continue the business after the repayment of all current liabilities.

If the value far exceeds 1, it can be concluded that the company have the significant volume of free resources, which were formed due to own source. Through the spectacle of creditors, this way of working assets formation is the most satisfactory. Alongside with that, according to the manager’s view, the significant inventory stockpiling and diversion of funds to accounts receivable can be connected with ineffective asset management. At the same time, the company probably uses its drawings possibilities not in full. This carries a threat of competitiveness loss due to the absence of investments in production growth and taking of new outlets. 

Figure. Total liquidity and revenue of the largest sugar manufacturers (Top-10) 

According to the last published financial accounts (2013), the revenue of the largest sugar manufacturers of the RF (Top-10) amounted to 34,0 bln. RUB; the annual surplus is 4,4%.

According to the 2014 year end, 5 212 679 tons of sugar (sand sugar) were produced in Russia; that is by 6,3% higher than in 2013 (4 903 798 tons).

The best values of total liquidity ratio of the Russian largest sugar manufacturers belong to the following companies: OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY SAKHARNYI ZAVOD LENINGRADSKY (2,2), OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY VALUYKISAKHAR (1,5) and OJSC Olkhovatsky Sugar Factory (1,5).

Two of ten companies show the negative values: liabilities exceed assets (OAO Zainsky Sakhar (0,9) and JOINT STOCK COMPANY USPENSKIY SAHARNIK (less than 1,0)). This indicates over-crediting of companies and can be resulted in adverse consequences for the finance stability (assuming a one-time requirement of all creditors to repay debts).

All Top-10 companies got a high solvency index that shows the ability to timely and fully repay the debt with minimal risk of default.

According to The Russian Association for Electronic Communications (RAEC), the Runet’s (Russian term for Internet in Russian language) aggregate revenue 2014 is approximately at the level of 2013 amounting to about 14.6 million EURO. The revenue of Internet dependent segments such as Internet access providers, e-commerce etc. has grown from 76 million EURO to 102 million EURO. According to experts, about 1.3 million people including freelancers work for companies in the Internet industry.

E-commerce covers 65% of the Russian Internet services market. Online-retail, electronic payments and digital content (video, music, books) are the most developing segments.

Credinform estimates that currently there are approximately 11,500 legal entities and sole entrepreneurs engaged in e-commerce in Russia.

Online travel is also one of the most promising sectors, especially following the much talked about large travel agency bankruptcies. According to Mr. Plutogarenko, head of RAEC, the aggregated revenue of the e-commerce sector as of 2014 has increased by 42% and amounted to 9.4 million EURO.

Thanks to the search engine advertising, video advertising and marketing services in social media, the Internet advertising sector has grown 18% in 2014. While the media advertising sector declined by 5% compared to 2013.

Experts also estimate a 7% annual growth of the Internet user community in Russia. 2014 statistics show that 73 million people use the Internet. According to a highly probable forecast, the number of Russian Internet users will increase by 3% and will reach 76 million people by 2020.

Russia’s internet users are using different gadgets simultaneously: computers and lap-tops, pads and mobile devices. Mobile Internet is becoming more and more popular: based on expert opinion, in 2014, 9% of users used mobile devices only.

RAEC experts forecasted an increase of the Russian Internet market revenue of approximately 20.7 million EURO by the end of 2014. Currently the Runet is in a crisis mode, as Mr. Plutogarenko notes, and thus anticipates only a 8-10% growth rate.