An expression of strength not seen since early 2008 has quietly returned to the market. Gold – as tracked by the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE:GLD) – has now outperformed the S&P 500 Index for seven consecutive months — the longest streak since February 2008. That date should not be dismissed as a coincidence. In early 2008, the global financial crisis had not yet reached its dramatic climax. Lehman Brothers would not collapse until September. Equity markets had not fully priced in systemic failure. Po