Sectoral Performance Trends and Differences in the Balkan and Eastern European Region

Abstract

This article provides an empirical analysis aimed at evaluating the financial trends and disparities at the sector level within the Balkan and Eastern European region. The dataset encompasses a period of nine years and comprises more than 20 million firm-year observations from 24 industries in 21 countries. It uses 19 financial ratios to assess sectoral performance. In the empirical investigation, trend analysis and the two-step cluster analysis methods were used. Following the global financial crisis, a significant proportion of financial ratios exhibited favorable trends, indicating robust business and economic circumstances. Nevertheless, this trajectory was temporarily disrupted in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, the financial ratios had reverted back to their historical patterns. Country membership, margin, liquidity, trade turnover, profitability, and leverage ratios are the most effective variables for explaining differences in sectoral performance. Sector membership is a comparatively less influential factor. Although this study effectively identified significant disparities in financial ratio profiles, it does not suggest that companies in the most developed countries in the region attain the most favorable financial performance. Stakeholders who have a vested interest in this region should carefully contemplate the ramifications of the findings from this study.