I think all the issues raised are significant and should be considered. Personally I have pretty much sold out of general equities and have been building positions more in gold mining stocks. It's a defensive position. These companies have been enjoying solid gold prices so have been making good profits and paying adequate dividends. Also the gold miners are particularly good value at the moment after being sold down and I think it is reasonable to expect their share prices to appreciate over the next several months. With the crazy debt levels particularly in property here in Australia and around the world, brought on by central bank and government policies (from both sides of politics) starting to show serious cracks, eg Evergrande in China to name just one, I think we could see a credit crisis in the banks as corporates and individuals default. A credit crisis could pop the very real property bubble with wide ranging effects.
