I will be releasing my complete 2012 Outlook during the next week. For those that would like to review my 2011 Outlook you can do so by clicking here. I was essentially correct on sovereign debt, housing, and stocks, but was wrong on the municipal bond market in the US. I was in the Meredith Whitney camp that there would be widespread defaults this year. That has not come to pass, yet.
To end the year I will leave you with a piece from the godfather of investor newsletters, Richard Russell, who has been covering the markets for close to 50 years.
“This year's close for gold marks the 11th year for higher year end gold closing. To my knowledge this is the longest bull market of any kind in history in which each year's close was above the previous year. This fabulous bull market will not end with a whisper and a fizzle. I continue to believe that the upside gold crescendo of this bull market lies ahead. We are watching market history.”
“I note the frustration and anger of the anti-gold crowd. To miss 12 years of rising prices is enough to make any investor furious with himself. I would guess that 99 percent of Americans have never participated in the gold bull market. Thus, sour grapes is the sentiment of the gold-haters. Happy to say my subscribers who listened to me in the early years of the gold bull market have enjoyed the riches bestowed upon them by the greatest bull market in history.
Below are the last day of the year quotes for gold.
2000 -- $273.60
2001 -- $279.00
2002 -- $348.20
2003 -- $416.10
2004 -- $438.40
2005 -- $518.90
2006 -- $638.00
2007 -- $838.00
2008 -- $889.00
2009 -- $1096.50
2010 -- $1421.40
2011 -- $1566.80
Gold pessimism grows. Market Vane's bullish consensus has plunged to a rare 56%, lowest percentage in recent years. Gold had been down six days in a row and is now heavily oversold. This may be the final much needed washout before the eventual blow-off.”
This bull market in gold has required tremendous patience as governments have constantly been active in a game of psychological warfare against the long-term gold holders. This latest correction has tested the nerves of even the staunchest bulls.
