This was no surprise to listeners of this show but the Fed did raise rates for the 4th time in 2018 and this was the 9th rate hike in this tightening cycle.  Back in June, Fed chairman Powell, was very giddy about the economy and confident about the growth but now he doesn’t seem so sure. 2019 will be a very different Fed where they may actually cut interest rates and not raise them. And gold has been very strong these last few weeks nearing $1,300 an ounce, which are 5 month highs.  Goldman Sachs sees gold performing very strongly in 2019 with a year end price of $1,425 an ounce.