The apathy will only be broken by some striking economic or political news.

Today, you can pick your own news. At no time has the world been this compatible with apathy.

All Latin American markets were dragged down by the 'Samba effect', and the Caracas market was no exception.

If oil prices hold, or better still, if they rise, I think in the coming days we are going to see stock prices rise even further.

It definitely wasn't one of the better years. The effect of the economic crisis in Asia, which started at the end of 1997, was felt first, then the fall in the price of oil and finally the overwhelming electoral uncertainty.

The reason behind the rise is the change in perception of Hugo Chavez, both among local investors and foreigners. The statements from the president-elect were taken very positively by the market.