OREANDA-NEWS. October 31, 2012. In presentation of the most valuable companies, SEB banka has been  recognised as the fifth most valuable company in Latvia. In comparing the data of the five most valuable companies, SEB banka has succeeded in gaining the highest increase in value over the year. According to the research carried out by investment banking society Prudentia and stock exchange NASDAQ OMX Riga in cooperation with SIA Lursoft IT and magazine Kapitals, the value of SEB banka has increased by 27.5%, from 256.16 to 326.49 million Lats, reported the press-centre of SEB Banka.

Within the top five of the most valuable companies in Latvia, energy company AS Latvenergo has been recognised as the most valuable for four years standing. The value of AS Latvenergo was estimated at 876.3 million lats in 2012 by the authors of the research, which constitutes a 10% decrease from the previous year. As before, Swedbank occupies second place as its value has increased by 17.6%, from 537.05 million to 631.35 million lats. Latvijas Valsts mezi has climbed up to third place as its value has increased by 24.2%, from 395.15 million to 490.96 million lats over the year. The fourth most valuable Latvian company is Latvijas Dzelzcels as its value has increased by 4.3%, from 440.42 million to 459.17 million lats.

In developing this year's Top 101, 600 Latvian companies with the highest profit and turnover were analysed and evaluated. To better reflect the current commercial value of a company within the respective industry, an evaluation of the growth potential and risk profile of similar European public companies has been taken as an example. In addition to the financial data, the transparency of the business model and management risks were also analysed.

Top 101 reflects the commercial value of Latvian companies which is important both to the companies themselves and the national economy in general, banks, tax payers and employees. For the banks and insurance companies, the evaluation reflects the value of the capital shares of the company to their owners.