This year was the worst year for the U.S markets since 2008 as the Dow and S&P indexes closed down 2.2% and 0.7% respectively whereas the Nasdaq held moderate gains and closed up 5.7%
Aside from volatility that crushed some traders and investors, factors that led to a bad year included Greece's debt crisis, China's economic slowdown, speculation about when interest rates will be raised, concerns about worldwide economic slowdown and falling oil prices.
Oil prices continued to fall in 2015 due to a global oversupply and hit a 7 year low in December when it fell below $35 a barrel.
On December 16, the Fed did a small rate hike of 25 basis points with emphasis on a steady growing U.S economy. It was the first rate hike in nearly a decade.
Overall, I don't think the new year, 2016, will bring heavy buyers into the market for a bull market. Instead, 2016 should be a very interesting volatile year.
Cheers to a new year and always remember that Cash Is King!