The Russian Empire stock market regulation on the pages of the newspaper "Birzhevye Vedomosti": speculation and state control
Authors: Galushko Ilia Nikolaevich 
Published: February 2025

Periodicals are one of the most important sources of stock market history. By studying them, we can gain valuable information. from newspaper issues about the dynamics of stock prices, the agendas of shareholder meetings, and the balance sheets of commercial banks. Periodicals formed the information field of bidders, often setting the mood of the market. In this article, we would like to outline in detail how discussions about state regulation of the Russian Empire's stock market and securities speculation unfolded on the pages of one of the main stock market newspapers, Birzhevye Vedomosti, at the beginning of the 20th century. It seems productive to try to analyze which issues from the life of the stock market were of concern to readers in principle and, accordingly, were reflected in the texts of relevant newspapers. From the point of view of institutional analysis, it is extremely interesting to clarify the expectations of bidders from the regulatory authorities represented by the Ministry of Finance and exchange committees. In the presented article, the forms of displaying stock market life on the pages of the newspaper "Birzhevye Vedomosti" in the early 20th century were considered in detail. To summarize the results of the study briefly, it can be said unequivocally that the average bidder perceived the process of stock trading mainly through the prism of periodicals. Shareholders were informed about the results of the meetings through newspapers; the stock exchange chronicler briefly recounted the results of the trading day; reports to the State Duma on stock market regulation were published in the relevant columns. By studying the financial history at the micro level of individual stock market agents, we must strive to reliably restore the information field in which the bidders were. And as our analysis has shown, in any such study it is impossible to do without referring to the materials of the periodical press. Periodicals represent one of the most significant sources for reconstructing the history of stock markets. Through their study, valuable insights can be gleaned regarding the dynamics of stock prices, the proceedings of shareholder meetings, and the financial statements of commercial banks. Periodicals played a pivotal role in shaping the informational landscape for market participants, often influencing the overall sentiment of the market. This article aims to provide a detailed examination of how discussions concerning state regulation of the Russian Empire’s stock market and securities speculation were articulated in one of the leading financial newspapers of the time, Birzhevye Vedomosti, during the early 20th century. It is particularly instructive to analyze which aspects of stock market activity captured the attention of readers and, consequently, were prominently featured in the pages of such newspapers. From the perspective of institutional analysis, it is of considerable interest to explore the expectations of market participants regarding regulatory authorities, particularly the Ministry of Finance and exchange committees. This article delves into the ways in which the life of the stock market was portrayed in Birzhevye Vedomosti during the early 20th century. To summarize the findings briefly, it is evident that the average market participant primarily perceived the stock trading process through the lens of periodicals. Shareholders relied on newspapers to stay informed about the outcomes of meetings, while stock exchange chroniclers provided concise summaries of daily trading activities. Additionally, reports on stock market regulation submitted to the State Duma were published in dedicated columns.