
There’s been no shortage of surprises for investors in 2017. Who’d have thought that Bitcoin valuations would go through the roof or that emerging markets would perform so strongly. Will there be more of the same in 2018 or will new themes emerge?

Software Quality Systems has recommended to shareholders an offer made by Assystem Technologies (Bidco) for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of SQS.

So where was the clever money made in 2017? With little attraction for sitting in cash, investors have had to be flexible in where they place their money for a decent return – as well as try to balance risk and rewards.

Coats Group, the industrial thread manufacturer, has announced the acquisition of US business Patrick Yarn Mill.

The history of ethical investing goes back centuries to the mid-1700s when Quakers and Methodists made moral choices regarding where they invested their funds.

Impact investing involves individual targeting of investment cash and often personal involvement in the businesses backed. You invest to make a difference.

Essentially a cryptocurrency is a digital currency. Think of it as electricity converted into lines of code with monetary value. The rise of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is with little doubt the biggest disruption to the monetary system for centuries.

Ethical investing used to centre around the Five B’s boobs, booze, baccy, betting and bombs. Or using slightly better grammar – an investment fund which screened out companies linked to pornography, alcohol, tobacco, gambling and arms manufacture. But things have evolved somewhat.

Fund managers are offering single country funds in developing markets such as China, Brazil, India and Indonesia, but do they offer great rewards and are they worth the risk?

Which fund managers have the capability to identify turnaround stories and how have recovery funds fared during recent bull markets

Investing money in listed companies is risky. High street names such as Woolworths can go spectacularly bust while major brands can fall from grace with incredible speed.

What are the prospects for UK Commercial property funds after a tough year and with Brexit beckoning?

There is no sure-fire way to ensure trading success but there are plenty of common pitfalls you should avoid. Learning the basics of trading will help you invest smart.

With savings rates dismally low, investors are searching for better rates of return. Mini bonds, which are loans to companies, certainly offer investors a great deal more but are they worth the risk?