The article is concerned with the formulation of recommendations for the diagnostics of competitiveness of stock exchanges in Ukraine. The main stages of the study are described, the definitions and stages of economic diagnostics are given, and the features of the diagnostics of the competitiveness of economic entities are formulated. A brief characterization of three of the four existing capital market operators (stock exchanges) selected by the authors as objects of competitiveness diagnostics is presented. Based on a detailed analysis of the public reporting of stock exchanges, annual reports of securities issuers, audit reports, regulatory provisions governing exchange activities in Ukraine, and other open information, the article substantiates the choice of indicators of competitiveness of stock exchanges and provides the ratio for their determination. Indicators of competitiveness are determined for 2020–2021 (exclusion from the list of objects for diagnosing the competitiveness of the PFTS stock exchange is due precisely to the lack of relevant information for the implementation of the necessary calculations). In order to correctly determine the competitive status of capital market operators, the normalization of the values of the selected competitiveness indicators was carried out using their minimum and maximum values (which made it possible to abandon the formation of the object of comparison with the best hypothetical characteristics and allowed to use the maximum values of indicators of stock exchanges as guidelines for their competitiveness in the most important areas of activity). The integral indicator of the competitiveness of stock exchanges is proposed to be determined as a result of averaging the normalized values of the corresponding indicators. Based on the results of the carried out diagnostics of the competitive status of stock exchanges, general recommendations for improving their competitiveness are formulated, together with the promising directions for further research in this sphere.

Government policy issues and approaches of improvement innovative entrepreneurship are considered in the paper. Elements of policy intervention on innovative entrepreneurship were described. The way firm innovate and the nature of their contributions to innovation varies and depends critically on firm characteristics and the conditions they face to engage in innovation. The “technology push” and “market pull” models provide two perspectives on firm innovation. Innovation output may differ along the several dimensions, including the type of innovation and the impact of innovation. Innovation can play a critical role in addressing socio-economic objectives, which are affected by the following factors: economic growth and employment, environmental challenges, social challenges. Innovative entrepreneurship can contribute to socio-economic challenges by formalizing the informal sector. The main policy approaches to address challenges associated to policy intervention for innovative entrepreneurship deal with: institutional governance, strategy and coherence of policies, policy-making contexts for innovative entrepreneurship. Achieving coherence and balance in the set of policies affecting innovative entrepreneurship, and coordinating the various actors involved in these policies have, consequently, become increasingly important for policy efficiency. Specific rationales for public policies: access to finance, access to knowledge, access to labor, entrepreneurial capabilities and culture, market development and access, regulatory framework. Access to finance is a key driver in the creation, survival and growth of innovative new ventures. Within the context of innovative entrepreneurship, public policy can in the following ways: debt financing, venture capital, business angels, private sources of funding. Access to debt financing is a critical issue for innovative businesses. It allows them to finance their growth, meet working capital requirements and invest in innovation. Relevant to innovative entrepreneurs are alternative types of loans, such as convertible and subordinated loans. Convertible loans give lenders the right to convert credit into an equity participation in the company, whereas subordinated loans are junior forms of debt that, in case of insolvency, have lower priority than senior debt (e.g. asset-based lending). They are riskier but pay higher interest rates.

The purpose of the article is to determine the main directions of development of modern information technologies in stock trading. The article analyzes the results of scientific publications related to the problems of stock trading in Ukraine and formulates a conclusion about the need for a more thorough study of the problems of applying artificial intelligence in this area. The main technologies used in stock trading are characterized. Modern systems and technologies that were developed to facilitate stock trading are highlighted, namely: electronic trading platforms; high-frequency trading; Artificial Intelligence; blockchain; cloud technologies; social media. The main stages of the application of Artificial Intelligence in stock trading are described, with the definition of its main functions. The prospects of using digital platforms for stock exchange transactions are analyzed. Digital platforms have been proven to be a key component of digital business transformation, creating an online space for business, consumers and financial transactions and interactions. The advantages of digital platforms are ease of use, visual appeal, a combination of integrated analytics and personalized solutions. Digital currencies linked to platforms will become more differentiated than conventional currencies today, differing not only in their monetary functions but also in the functionality provided by the linked platforms. The economy of digital platforms has a positive effect on stock trading and currency competition. A comparison of bank-centered and platform-centered financial models in the case of their application for stock exchange transactions was developed. It has been proven that the main advantage of the platform-centric model is the use of Artificial Intelligence for stock trading. In fact, the platform described in the article performs the functions of a broker-consultant for clients, which not only concludes deals, but also generates the best options for them at a certain point in time (which is especially important when taking into account the second price fluctuations of exchange goods). Keywords: stock market, digitalization, fintech, innovative technologies, business.