Dr Doom: why I'm reluctant to heavily short anything right now

Marc Faber, publisher of the ‘Gloom Boom & Doom Report, explains why cash could make sense in the short term and why he regrets not buying Greek equity last summer.

Faber, dubbed Dr Doom, told delegates at Skagen conference in London on Tuesday that this year is likely to be a more difficult environment than 2012 as he urged caution over China's growth outlook.  

To balance risk in market volatility Faber said he is holding an equal proportion of cash, property, gold, equity and corporate bonds in his portfolio.

‘I’d be reluctant to be heavily short anything right now. For an investor, cash is not desirable but I would say that for the next 3 months it may make sense,’ Faber told an investor audience.

He said he is more positive on equity markets in China, Vietnam and Japan and sees value in select parts of the US housing market such as Atlanta and California.

He did, however, urge caution over recent data showing a rebound in Chinese trade towards the end of last year.

'There is a consensus that the Chinese economy has picked up. In my view, the past kind of economic growth in India and China is over. From here, we could have 4-6% growth at best. We could also have a recession in China.'