Think you’re a chart whiz? Think again. Our latest quiz left even the savviest readers scratching their heads—and sparking some heated debates. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it genius or just plain mean? Let’s dive in.
Published on January 12, 2026, this edition of the Editor’s Digest—curated by FT Editor Roula Khalaf—delivered a mix of praise, criticism, and outright frustration. One reader dubbed it ‘chart crime,’ while another suggested it ‘could have benefited from a bit more preparation.’ Ouch. But hey, we’re not here to play nice—we’re here to challenge you.
And this is the part most people miss: The seemingly sloppy X-labels (2021 repeated, 2025 skipped) weren’t just an oversight. Sure, there was a glitch in our chart-building software, but we kept it—on purpose. Why? Because chaos breeds fun. Or, as we like to call it, the perfect storm of FT Alphaville quizzing: plenty of entrants, few correct answers, and a healthy dose of resentment.
Now, let’s unravel the mystery. Here’s what you missed:
- SanDisk/Jensen Huang’s share price levitation trick (https://www.ft.com/content/8c0f2589-66f6-4d4a-9555-a29868c86079) took center stage, leaving many stumped.
- Venezuela’s self-reported oil reserves (https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/venezuelas-oil-claims-are-slick-goopy-mess-2026-01-08/) had us humming anything but Enya’s Orinoco Flow. Let’s just say the numbers were… questionable.
- Meta Materials’ cult-like stock performance (https://www.wsj.com/finance/how-the-stock-ticker-mmtlp-became-an-anti-wall-street-rallying-cry-3e2a512a) closed out the trio. Fun fact: We couldn’t find a chart for its infamous preferred shares, MMTLP, which some die-hard believers still think will rebound—despite the company’s 2024 bankruptcy and equity wipeout. Last week, investors even held a press conference outside the SEC (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mmtlp-investors-to-hold-press-conference-at-sec-demanding-accountability-for-historic-market-failure-302654290.html). Talk about dedication.
Here’s the real kicker: Only two people—Ziyodulla Abdullaev and James Ritossa—nailed the final chart. And the winner is… Ziyodulla! Congratulations on your first victory, though James will have to wait a little longer to complete his collection of winners’ tees.
But let’s stir the pot: Was this quiz too harsh, or did it push you to think outside the box? Do glitches and controversies make quizzes more engaging, or do they cross the line? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears. And remember, in the world of charts, nothing is ever as it seems.
