Who knew that the oil price would pass the $100 a barrel mark so early in the year.
Pushed skyward by the events in Egypt, which in turn were sparked by the Tunisian revolution which came on the back of a fruit and veg seller setting light to himself.
The new order in the Arab world is emerging and with it the world economy gives a shudder.
With Libya now in spasm the oil markets are reacting with volatility.
Geo-political and economic upheaval are converging to create another year of uncertainty ahead.
