As per Jim Walker MD of Asianomics , there will be more bad news likely from EU in 2012. More Bumpy road for equity market in 2012.
As per him "I am not expecting EU banks to raise exposure to sovereigns. There is likely to be significant fiscal retrenchment in Euro zone."
In That case Gold always a first choice for the world and central bank. While it is for printing new money or investment in safe commodity.