Ever wondered what happens when a chart quiz goes rogue? Well, our latest edition certainly did, and the results were nothing short of fascinating—and a little polarizing. Published on January 12, 2026, this quiz sparked debates, drew strong opinions, and left many scratching their heads. But here's where it gets controversial: was it a masterpiece of complexity or a chart crime? Let’s dive in.
The last charts quiz was a rollercoaster. One reader boldly declared it a ‘chart crime,’ while another suggested it ‘could have benefited from a bit more preparation.’ Ouch. But here’s the twist: we intentionally kept things tricky—yes, even the X-labels showing 2021 twice and skipping 2025. Why? Partly due to a glitch in our chart-building software, but mostly because we wanted to keep you on your toes. And this is the part most people miss: the perfect storm of a quiz is when you have plenty of entrants, few correct answers, and a healthy dose of resentment. That’s exactly what we got—FT Alphaville’s hat-trick of chaos.
Now, let’s unravel the mystery. Here’s the breakdown:
SanDisk/Jensen Huang’s Share Price: This chart showcased the latest ‘levitation trick’ in the market. (Check it out here: FT Article)
Venezuela’s Self-Reported Oil Reserves: A chart that was anything but smooth, leaving us far from humming Enya’s Orinoco Flow. (More on that here: Reuters)
Meta Materials’ Share Price: The ultimate cult stock, with a following that borders on obsession. (Read about its rise here: WSJ)
And this is where it gets really interesting. We couldn’t find a price chart for Meta Materials’ infamous preferred shares, MMTLP, which some investors still believe in despite the company’s bankruptcy and the equity being wiped out in 2024. Last week, a group of die-hard believers even held a press conference outside the SEC, demanding accountability. (Yes, really: PR Newswire) That’s why we included the chart of its common stock—just for fun.
This final chart was, admittedly, a beast. Only two participants—Ziyodulla Abdullaev and James Ritossa—nailed it. And the wheel of fortune has spoken: Congratulations to Ziyodulla, a frequent finalist who finally claimed the top spot! James, don’t worry—your collection of winners’ tees is still in the making.
But here’s the real question: Did we go too far with this quiz, or was it the perfect blend of challenge and chaos? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears. And if you think you could’ve cracked it, well, there’s always next time!
