An investment manager has urged ASX-listed firms to pay dividends where they can to provide income for retirees dependent on the payments.

Investors should look beyond government bonds when choosing assets for their portfolio to offset risk post COVID-19, an investment expert says.

Investors have lost confidence in markets they are struggling to understand, with some also losing cash trying to price the rebound.

Improved economic activity across developed markets is likely in the second half of this year, a global investment manager has forecast.

Many smaller stocks on the ASX are offering strong returns, but are often overlooked by investment managers focusing on well-known names.

The coronavirus has begun to separate the emerging markets offering more solid investment opportunities from their counterparts, a global fund manager has said.

Investors should be cautious about relying on financial forecasting and models while global markets recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an investment expert says.

Due to high levels of interest, SMSFs have now been provided with the ability to trade gold, stored on their behalf in Australia, via a new mobile app.