Global Risks

Major changes since February 07, 2008.

Headline risk

The risk has grown of disruption to the Latin American hydrocarbons sector, after US-based oil company ExxonMobil said it had obtained court orders freezing assets of up to 36 billion dollars of Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and the United States. PDVSA subsequently announced that it had suspended commercial relations with US-based ExxonMobil and cut off oil sales to that company. Lack of collateral will limit PDVSA's borrowing prospects, raising serious risks for investment and output.

Other rising risks

• State collapse in Pakistan
• Return to serious disruption in the Balkans
• Armed hostilities between India and Pakistan

Declining risks

• Oil price shock

You can see a complete list of Global Stress Points we are monitoring on the guest page of the live service.

You can learn more about the Global Stress Points Matrix™, or request a trial through the service information page.