Equities investors have lots to weight up as they decide on the markets, sectors and companies well positioned for the months ahead, and there are both risks and opportunities it would be costly to miss.

Picking winning stocks, how much to allocate to alternatives and the ramifications of the forthcoming US elections are top of investors’ concerns this month, alongside proactive estate planning.

Joining this year’s rush of “goldbugs” might seem tempting if growth predictions are to be believed, but investors must look at their portfolio in the round first.

Emerging economies’ rising debt ratios, the online revolution in retail and the wisdom of watching and waiting are all brought to the fore by our investment experts this month.

It’s vital to keep comparing your wealth manager’s performance to its peer group to make sure you are getting value for money and the returns you need to fulfil your goals.

Markets continue to rise, but pockets of value certainly still exist in certain equities, alongside a number of both corporate and government bonds.

The potential for inflation shocks and stock market corrections top the investment agenda this month, with our expert wealth managers plotting careful – yet innovative – courses for their clients’ portfolios.

Balancing risk and reward is a real challenge in such a highly uncertain investment environment, but our experts’ view will help you gain clarity on some vital points.

Despite its appeal in times of crisis, there may be strong reasons to doubt gold as a safe haven and other diversification options you should explore instead.