Wpływ pandemii COVID-19 na sektor ubezpieczeń GPW w Warszawie S.A.

Purpose: The article aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the insurance sector of the Warsaw Stock Exchange S.A. in 2019–2021. Design/Methodology/Approach: Quarterly financial reports were used to conduct the study. The economic condition was examined using elements of financial analysis, and the valuation was based on the analysis of market rates of return. Findings: The results allowed us to conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic harmed the insurance sector of WSE. Due to the differences in the parameters of the size of capitalization, the scope of services provided, the territory of operation and the structure of sources of income, the effects of the pandemic are significantly different. The pandemic had a minor impact on the financial condition of PZU S.A., however, the economic condition of the remaining analysed entities deteriorated. The market valuation in the analysed period also varied two companies recorded a significant decline in rates of return compared to the rate of return of the WSE benchmark, while the remaining two achieved rates of return higher than the rate of return of the WIG index. Research limitations/implications: In the conducted research, the limitations were: a small research sample – a small number of studied companies and the specific nature of the analysed industry insurance companies are characterized by a different nature compared to the others, which resulted in the specific selection of elements of financial analysis in the conducted study. Originality/value: The article raises the issue of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial condition and market valuation of a specific industry.