Most valuable companies of Estonia

Tallink, Swedbank and Estonian Energy are the most valuable companies of Estonia.
Followed by SEB bank, Tallinn port and Telia telecommunications company.

Most valuable Estonian companies. Source: Eesti Ekspress

See graph compiled by Eesti Ekspress weekly newspaper here .

The table includes such values as company value (väärtus), turnover, EBITDA; company transparency (läbipaistvus), owners; public (avalik) or private sector (era); on stock market (yes / jah, no /ei); industry.
EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

The 2019 TOP is based on the 2016-2018. annual accounts

** Company value, except for financial companies where the value of equity has been calculated

*** In the case of financial corporations, the book value of assets at the end of 2018

*** In the case of financial corporations, the book value of equity as of the end of 2018

1In the case of Admiral Markets Group AS, the net result 2018 is recorded under “Turnover 2018” and EBT 2018 under “EBITDA 2018”.

Turnover increased in most economic activities

According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2019, turnover increased in most economic activities. Trade, manufacturing and information and communication enterprises contributed the most to the turnover of the business sector. The growth in the sector’s turnover was negatively affected mainly by energy and mining.

In 2019, enterprises sold goods and services for 64.2 billion euros, which is 5% more than the year before. Compared to 2018, the total expenditure of enterprises increased by 5%, including a 9% increase in labour costs. The number of persons employed as well as the number of hours worked also increased. The labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of turnover amounted to an average of 137,400 euros per person employed, i.e. 3% more than the year before.

Enterprises invested 3.2 billion euros, which is a fifth more than the year before. The investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment, and in buildings. Manufacturing, energy, transportation and storage and real estate enterprises accounted for more half of all investments.

In the 4th quarter of 2019, enterprises sold goods and services for 16.8 billion euros and invested 925 million euros.

Source: Statistics Estonia

See graph here

Enterprises can now compare themselves in eSTAT

Statistics Estonia’s data submission environment eSTAT now allows respondent enterprises to compare their wages, profit and turnover with indicators of the same economic activity and Estonian averages. eSTAT displays personalised statistics currently to nearly 20,000 enterprises.

Andres Kukke, Statistics Estonia’s Deputy Director General for Information Technology, said that enterprises providing data often want to see what happens to their data. They are also interested in real-time feedback on the position and market share of the enterprise in comparison to other similar enterprises. “eSTAT gives personalised statistics right back to the enterprise as management information, linking the obligation to submit data and its usefulness,” explained Kukke.

In eSTAT, the profit indicator displayed is for the year and is based on the data collected with the EKOMAR questionnaire; the wages indicator is for the month and the data is collected with the questionnaire “Wages and salaries and labour force”; the turnover indicator is for the quarter and is based on data collected with the questionnaire “Economic activity”. The average indicators for Estonia and economic activities are taken from the statistical database.

Currently, the data are displayed only to eSTAT users with the relevant rights: chief executive, main user and respondent. The indicators are visible to enterprises that have the obligation to submit questionnaires EKOMAR, “Wages and salaries and labour force” and “Economic activity” and have also submitted that data (ca 20,000 enterprises this year).

“We are working to create the possibility to show personalised statistics also to the enterprises that have not been chosen to answer the survey but want to submit data voluntarily to compare themselves to others. We believe that such a comparison is interesting for all businesses. As soon as we have this option, we’ll notify of it,” said Kukke.

Statistics Estonia is a government agency. Its main task is to provide objective information on the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation and trends in Estonia. The goal of Statistics Estonia is to become by 2022 the most effective and innovative producer of reliable and user-friendly statistics in Europe.

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Profit of the business sector increased by 4 pct in 2018

According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2018, the total profit of the business sector was 2.9 billion euros, which is 4% more than the year before.

Compared to 2017, total profit increased in most of the economic activities. Manufacturing and trade enterprises contributed the most to the total profit of the business sector. Profit growth in the sector was slowed down mainly by administrative and support services and construction enterprises. The profit of manufacturing increased by approximately a fifth compared to 2017, mainly due to an increase in profits in the manufacture of metal products, fuel oil, machinery and equipment, and construction materials.

In 2018, enterprises sold goods and services for 61 billion euros, which is 10% more than the year before. The biggest increase in turnover occurred in real estate and agriculture, forestry and fishing activities. The turnover of trade and manufacturing enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased 9% and 7%, respectively.

Compared to 2017, the total expenditure of enterprises increased 11%, including 10% increase in labour costs. The number of persons employed and the number of hours worked increased 3% and 1%, respectively. In 2018, the labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of net value added amounted to an average of 23,900 euros per person employed, i.e. 5% more than in 2017.

In 2018, enterprises invested 2.3 billion euros, which is the same as the year before. As in 2017, the investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment and in buildings. The main investors were manufacturing, energy and trade enterprises, accounting for nearly a half of the total investments of all enterprises. Compared to 2017, the investments in buildings and in machinery and equipment increased. Other investments decreased, the biggest decrease was in investments in transport equipment.

In the 4th quarter of 2018, enterprises sold goods and services for 16.2 billion euros, which is 12% more than in the same period of 2017. In the 4th quarter of 2018, enterprises invested 789 million euros, i.e. 17% more than in the 4th quarter of 2017.

Source: Statistics Estonia

See a graph here

The profit of the business sector decreased in 1Q by 5 pct

According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2018, the total profit of the business sector was 584 million euros, which is 5% less than in the same period the year before.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2017, total profit decreased in most economic activities. Transportation and storage, agriculture, forestry and fishing and energy enterprises made the biggest contribution to the total profit of the business sector. The growth in the sector’s profit was negatively affected mainly by trade enterprises and enterprises specialising in administrative and support service activities.

In the 1st quarter of 2018, enterprises sold goods and services for 13.7 billion euros, i.e. 8% more than in the same period the year before. The biggest year-on-year increase occurred in the turnover of real estate enterprises. The turnover of trade and manufacturing enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased respectively by 4% and 7% compared to the 1st quarter of 2017.

Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the total expenditure of enterprises increased by 9%, including an 8% increase in labour costs. The number of persons employed increased by 2% and the number of hours worked by 1% in a year. Labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of value added amounted to an average of 5,500 euros in a quarter per person employed, i.e. 3% more than in the 1st quarter of 2017.

In the 1st quarter of 2018, enterprises invested 490 million euros, which is 15% less than in the same period the year before. The investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment and in buildings. The main investors were real estate, manufacturing and agriculture, forestry and fishing enterprises, which accounted for more than a half of the total investments of all enterprises. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2017, investments in buildings, computer systems and land increased. Investments in machinery and equipment and in transport equipment decreased.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Economic activity, quarter”, the submission date of which was 21 April 2018. Statistics Estonia published the quarterly summary in 26 working days. For the statistical activity “Financial statistics of enterprises (quarterly)”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.

Source: Statistics Estonia

The profit of the business sector increased by 5 pct in 2017

According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2017, the total profit of the business sector was 2.8 billion euros, which is 5% more than the year before.

Compared to 2016, total profit increased in most economic activities. Manufacturing and transportation and storage enterprises made the biggest contribution to the total profit of the business sector. The growth in the sector’s profit was negatively affected mainly by real estate and wholesale enterprises. The profit of manufacturing increased by approximately a third compared to 2016, mainly due to an increase in profits in the manufacture of electronics, fuel oil and food products.In 2017, enterprises sold goods and services for 55 billion euros, which is 10% more than the year before. The biggest increase occurred in the turnover of enterprises specialising in water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities. The turnover of trade and manufacturing enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased 8% and 5%, respectively.

Compared to 2016, the total expenditure of enterprises increased 10%, including 9% increase in labour costs. The number of persons employed and the number of hours worked increased 3% and 2%, respectively. In 2017, the labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of value added amounted to an average of 22,600 euros per person employed, i.e. 5% more than in 2016.

In 2017, enterprises invested 2.4 billion euros, which is 15% more than the year before. As in 2016, the investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment, and buildings and civil engineering works. The main investors were manufacturing, transportation and storage, and trade enterprises, accounting for nearly a half of the total investments of all enterprises. Compared to 2016, all investments increased, with the biggest increase registered in investments in computer systems.

In the 4th quarter of 2017, enterprises sold goods and services for 14.5 billion euros, which is 10% more than in the same period of 2016. In the 4th quarter of 2017, enterprises invested 672 million euros, i.e. a tenth more than in the 4th quarter of 2016.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Economic activity, quarter”, the submission date of which was 21 January 2018. Statistics Estonia published the quarterly summary in 26 working days. For the statistical activity “Financial statistics of enterprises (quarterly)”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.

Source: Statistics Estonia

The profit of the business sector increased in 2Q

According to Statistics Estonia, in the 2nd quarter of 2017, the total profit of the business sector was 827 million euros, which was 22% more than in the same period the year before.

Compared to the 2nd quarter of 2016, total profit increased in most economic activities. The biggest contribution to the total profit of the business sector was made by transportation and storage, and manufacturing enterprises. The growth in the sector’s profit was negatively affected mainly by real estate and information and communication enterprises.

In the 2nd quarter of 2017, enterprises sold goods and services for 14.0 billion euros, which was 10% more than in the same period of the previous year. The turnover of trade enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased 9%, mainly due to an increase in the turnover of wholesale trade. The growth was supported also by retail and motor trade. The turnover of manufacturing enterprises increased 4% year over year.

Compared to the same period a year before, the total expenditure of enterprises increased 10%. Personnel expenses also increased 10%. The number of persons employed increased 4% and the number of hours worked 2%. Labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of value added amounted to an average of 5,890 euros in a quarter per person employed, i.e. 9% more than in the 2nd quarter of 2016.

The investments of enterprises resumed growth at the beginning of this year. In the 2nd quarter of 2017, enterprises invested 636 million euros, which was 27% more than in the same period the year before. The investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment, transport equipment and buildings. The main investors were transportation and storage, trade, and manufacturing enterprises, accounting for more than a half of the total investments of all enterprises. Compared to the 2nd quarter of 2016, all investments increased, with the biggest increase registered in investments in transport equipment.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Economic activity, quarter”, the submission date of which was 21 July 2017. Statistics Estonia published the quarterly summary in 27 working days. For the statistical activity “Financial statistics of enterprises (quarterly)”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.

Source: Statistics Estonia

Companies made 18 pct more profit this year

According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2017, the total profit of the business sector was 612 million euros, which was 18% more than in the same period the year before.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2016, total profit increased in almost all economic activities. The biggest contribution to the total profit of the business sector was made by trade and manufacturing enterprises. The growth in the sector’s profit was negatively affected mostly by real estate and transportation and storage enterprises.

In the 1st quarter of 2017, enterprises sold goods and services for 12.7 billion euros, which was 8% more than in the same period of the previous year. The biggest turnover growth was in construction activity. The turnover of trade enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased 7%, mainly due to an increase in the turnover of wholesale trade. The growth was supported also by retail and motor trade. The turnover of manufacturing enterprises increased 5% year over year.

Compared to the same period a year before, the total expenditure of enterprises increased 8%, including an 8% increase in personnel expenses. The number of persons employed increased 2% and the number of hours worked stayed at the level of the previous year. The labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of value added amounted to an average of 5,280 euros in a quarter per person employed, i.e. 8% more than in the 1st quarter of 2016.

The investments of enterprises resumed growth. In the 1st quarter of 2017, enterprises invested 573 million euros, which was 28% more than in the same period the year before. The investments were made mostly in machinery and equipment, transport equipment and buildings. The main investors were manufacturing, transportation and storage, and trade enterprises, accounting for more than a half of the total investments of all enterprises. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2016, only investments in the acquisition of buildings fell. Other investments increased, with the biggest increase registered in investments in transport equipment.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Economic activity, quarter”, the submission date of which was 21 April 2017. Statistics Estonia published the quarterly summary in 26 working days. For the statistical activity “Financial statistics of enterprises (quarterly)”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.

Source: Statistics Estonia

In 2016 the total profit of the business sector decreased by 10 pct

According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2016 the total profit of the business sector was 2.7 billion euros, which was 10% less than the year before. The business sector’s total profit decreased for second year in a row.

Compared to 2015, the total profit decreased in most economic activities. The biggest contribution to the total profit was made by trade and energy enterprises. The growth in the profit of the business sector was negatively affected mainly by manufacturing, real estate and transportation and storage enterprises. The profit of manufacturing decreased by a third compared to 2015, mainly due to the decrease in profits in the export-oriented manufacture of fuel oil, metal products and wood.

In 2016, enterprises sold goods and services for 50.2 billion euros, which was 2% more than the year before. The biggest growth was in arts, entertainment and recreation. The turnover of trade enterprises, which have the biggest share in the total turnover of the business sector, increased 4%, affected mostly by an increase in the turnover of motor and retail trade. The turnover of manufacturing enterprises increased 2% compared to the year before.

Compared to 2015, the total costs of enterprises increased 3%, including 5% increase of labour costs. The number of persons employed and the number of hours worked increased 3% and 1%, respectively. In 2016, the labour productivity of the business sector on the basis of value added amounted to an average of 21,600 euros per person employed, i.e. 2% lower than in 2015.

The investment activity of enterprises continued to decrease for the fourth year in a row. In 2016, enterprises invested 2.0 billion euros, which is 12% less than the year before. Similarly to 2015, the largest investments were made mainly in equipment and machinery and buildings and structures. The main investors were manufacturing, trade, and transportation and storage enterprises with a half of the total investments of enterprises. Compared to 2015, the investments in transport equipment and computer systems increased. Other investments decreased, with the biggest decrease registered in investments in acquisition of buildings and structures.

In the 4th quarter of 2016, enterprises sold goods and services for 13.2 billion euros, which was 4% more than in the same period of 2015. In the 4th quarter of 2016, enterprises invested 612 million euros, i.e. a fifth less than in the 4th quarter of 2015.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Economic activity, quarter”, the submission date of which was 20 January 2017. Statistics Estonia published the quarterly summary in 24 working days. For the statistical activity “Financial statistics of enterprises (quarterly)”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.

Source: Statistics Estonia

Non-financial corporations’ sector profits decreased

In 2016, non-financial sector profits decreased 10% in Estonia. Profits decreased third year in a row. 

Robust wage growth has contributed to the decrease in corporations’ profits 

The major share of the decrease in profits came from manufacturing, real estate activities and transport sector, while the increase in profits in wholesale trade was by far the strongest among others.

Although the growth of labour costs has decelerated, their share in corporations’ sector turnover has risen to the highest level of the last 15 years (excluding 2009 with recession). At the same time, profitability (the share of profits in turnover) has shrunk to the lowest level of the last 15 years (again, excluding 2009). Thus, robust wage growth and increased labour costs have contributed substantially to the reduction of corporations’ profits. In addition to the higher labour costs, decreased selling prices have been behind the weaker profits, as well.

After two years of decline, corporations’ sector turnover recovered and reached 2% growth in 2016, contributed primarily stronger foreign demand and selling prices. Exports of goods and services increased 4% in nominal terms and producer and export prices started to increase at the end of last year.

Corporations’ investments decreased fourth year in a row 

Despite the corporations’ improving confidence, accelerated increase of their credit portfolio and gradual increase of capacity utilization, non-financial corporations’ investments decreased already fourth year in a row (i.e – 12% in 2016). Approximately half of the contraction of investments came from the energy sector, whereas investments in transport sector increased the most (60%). The share of investments has dropped to the lowest level. Less investments together with the decrease in labour force and weaker productivity growth or even decrease (corporations’ sector productivity has decreased two years in a row) result in less potential economic growth.

Despite the decrease in profits, corporations’ financial situation and their solvency is good 

Although the growth of corporations’ sector credit portfolio has accelerated, decrease in investments and less lending from abroad has restrained the growth of corporations’ debt. Despite the decrease in profits less investments contribute to the increase in liquid assets. Low interest rates contribute to less interest payments and thereby have positive impact on corporations’ solvency. However, the expected increase in investments and receding short-term loans, corporations’ debt liabilities are expected to increase in the coming years. Accumulation of profits has increased corporations’ equity (increase of equity has decelerated) and this does not considerably limit payment of dividends.

Wage growth is expected to exceed productivity growth  

The deceleration of labour costs, increasing selling prices and stronger foreign demand are expected to improve corporations’ sector profits. At the same time, expected recovery of investments will work against it. Although the growth of labour costs has decelerated, shortage of qualified labour force contribute to the robust wage growth at least in the coming few years. Wage growth is expected to exceed productivity growth and thereby possibly impairing corporations’ competitiveness.

Source: Swedbank