Gold is on the cusp of setting a new all-time high amid rampant inflation, fears of an economic downturn and war in Ukraine. The precious metal is proving its 'safe-haven' credentials in a crisis yet again.In this article we discuss the prospects for gold, how it compares with other assets, and how you can gain exposure to this traditional store of value as part of a diversified portfolio.WHY HAS

With just a few trading days left to go, 2019 has been good for the markets. As we write the MSCI World index is up more than 20% since the start of January.Despite this positive backdrop there has still been considerable market volatility, making life difficult for stock pickers including fund managers.The funds industry has also been hit by various star fund managers disappointing investors, as

Mining was the second best performing FTSE 350 sector in 2016 and is still in the top 10 so far this year. Improving commodity prices, stronger balance sheets and more lean mining operations have all contributed to share price success.Anyone who wants exposure to the sector without the individual country risk should look at the wide range of investment trusts that invest in miners. You should be a

One of the most startling statistics in our third annual World Investment Outlook bookazine is the Venezuelan inflation rate of 43.7%. Even more remarkable is how that figure has surged to 54.3% in the time it took our printers to publish the document and the distributors to get it into WH Smith (SMWH). Some commentators are suggesting Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, now only has one good use,

Our mining correspondent, Dan Coatsworth, is bearish on gold (See Cover, Shares, 9 May) and since he is the man on this subject, that is good enough for me. Yet my 12 years at UBS investment bank listening to the experts there speak at the morning meeting on commodities taught me one thing: do not sell when an asset is trading in backwardation and its 'spot' price stands higher than the futures pr