GLOBAL markets experienced a tumultuous start this year, as a selloff in the Chinese equity markets acted as tinder for the global equity rout which followed. After years of relative peace, markets were once again dashed by fear and uncertainty. Steadily declining gold prices snapped out of their previous three-year downtrend, and once again started making highs.

Then came June, when the United Kingdom voted resoundingly to leave the European Union - Brexit, when it materialises, would represent a divorce on an unprecedented scale. By then, the world was caught in a chronic state of heightened fear, discomfort and uncertainty. Global equities once again tumbled and funds once again sought sanctuary in gold.

Then came Donald Trump, whose straight-talking and seemingly hard-line rhetoric defied what markets were used to seeing in a prospective United States president. Market fears accelerated on that fateful elections day when it became apparent that candidate Trump was due to be president-elect Trump. Not surprisingly, gold prices spiked on the news.