The Venezuelan government has stopped publishing official economic statistics, says Andreas Knobloch in Finanz und Wirtschaft. No wonder: the country is in a state of total collapse.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the country's hyperinflation is getting worse, with the annual pace of price rises expected to climb from 2018's 1,000,000% to 10,000,000%.
Falling oil prices have undermined export earnings; shortages, sanctions, and pervasive corruption wiped 40% and 30% off national output in 2017 and 2018 respectively; and annual GDP has receded to levels last seen in the 2000s.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
The "downward spiral" is likely to endure until the political stalemate between the government and the opposition is resolved.
Viewpoint
Ken Fisher, the Financial Times
-
Is investing in AIM still worth it after IHT clampdown?HMRC expects to rake in £110 million a year from upcoming inheritance tax changes on AIM shares. The tax relief will be cut from April 2026, meaning you could find yourself paying 20% in inheritance tax.
-
AI in finance: how is technology changing financial advice?There are huge opportunities for AI to improve and democratise financial services, particularly financial advice. But is the regulatory environment ready for AI to become mainstream in finance?
-
The charts that matter: bond yields and US dollar continue to climbCharts The US dollar and government bond yields around the world continued to climb. Here’s what happened to the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: markets start the year with a crashCharts As markets start 2022 with a big selloff, here’s what happened to the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: Fed becomes more hawkishCharts Gold rose meanwhile the US dollar fell after a key Fed meeting. Here’s what else happened to the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: a tough week for bitcoinCharts Cryptocurrency bitcoin slid by some 20% this week. Here’s what else happened to the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: omicron rattles marketsCharts Markets were rattled by the emergence of a new strain of Covid-19. Here’s how it has affected the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: the US dollar keeps on strengtheningCharts The US dollar saw further rises this week as gold and cryptocurrencies sold off. Here’s how that has affected the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: gold hangs on to gains while the dollar continues higherCharts The gold price continued to hang on to last week’s gains, even as the US dollar powered higher this week. Here’s how that has affected the charts that matter most to the global economy.
-
The charts that matter: inflation fears give gold a much needed boostCharts US inflation hit its highest in 30 years this week, driving gold and bitcoin to new highs. Here’s how that has affected the charts that matter most to the global economy.
