Moving the goalposts

It is difficult trying to make sense of the amazing array of choices investors face almost every day - 'buy and hold', tracker funds, diversification, hedge funds, currency management, futures, options, interest rates - the list is endless. But no sensible discussion on strategies can take place without giving due consideration to what's happening in the world and in the markets. Over the past few years, powerful global forces have dramatically shifted the investment goalposts, including: • demographics and the consequences of an ageing population • pressure for economic reform, mos...