The last time Soros became closely involved in his firm’s trading: 2007, "when he became worried about housing and placed bearish wagers." Over the next two years the bets netted more than $1 billion of gains.

According to the WSJ's Greg Zuckerman, Soros Fund Management, which manages $30 billion for Mr. Soros and his family, sold stocks and bought gold and shares of gold miners, anticipating weakness in various markets. Investors view gold as a haven during times of turmoil.