Gold has traditionally been seen as a safe haven to provide insurance to portfolios - but on 11 April its price began to free fall. Why? And does gold have a place in portfolios?

Are low volatility equity funds something investors should be including in their portfolios? There are a range of issues to consider.

What's the probability of a major risk event for global equity markets this year - and what are the major opportunities?

The Australian economy is affected only tangentially by fiscal problems elsewhere, but there are strong effects on markets. Currency is the lynchpin.

If Africa could behave more together economically, by 2050, BRICs would become BRICA. Plus, the $A is more and more on my radar,

We're seeing a significant correction in global equity markets and commodity markets including a staggering decline in gold. What does this mean for portfolios?

Should you have a minimum asset threshold for new clients? Should there be other factors that you look at beyond just assets? How do you communicate your criteria to prospective clients?

It is unfortunate that most people spend much more time considering investment risk than mortality risk.

China is in the throes of a classic credit bubble, showing all three key signs of any classic bubble. This is a big theme for markets.

What Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda announced last week was quite dramatic. It is the first time I can remember Japanese policymakers truly and positively surprising markets.

It's time we financial planners stopped viewing clients who don't implement as "bad clients" and instead develop the skills to motivate them to do it.

With 440,000 pre-registered to buy Mighty River Power, we asked some advisers about their view on the role of direct equities in investor's portfolios.

Despite the Cypriot tragedy, the next few years will see stronger global GDP numbers than in a very long time.

Exchange rate adjustments are likely to help the global recovery but the situation bears monitoring.

With cash no longer providing the same high returns and income required for investors approaching or already in retirement, Global Investments Forum 2013 brought together selected senior investment professionals spanning the major sectors, strategies and regions of the world.

What we really need from the coming review is policy that addresses retirement income for young New Zealanders.

This CPD Quiz is only open to those who attended Global Investments Forum 2013. Each question is compulsory and must be completed to receive your CPD accreditation.

How can a $22bn economy be the dominant global topic of conversation? Cyprus is the epicentre of strategic issues.

EU ministers understand the law but they totally miss the behavioural economic consequences of their actions.

Is the bull market over for gold? I doubt it. The next phase could be quite explosive, particularly for the gold mining stocks.