The worst of Australia’s economic recession may already be over but hard times still lay ahead, a leading economist has said.

The outlook for investors remains challenging despite the gradual easing of market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an investment expert has warned.

Emerging market bonds are likely to bounce back and outperform those from developed markets in a recovery from the COVID-19 downturn, an emerging markets expert says.

The effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on markets can be better managed through greater portfolio diversification, according to a global fund manager.

SMSFs have been slow to adopt managed accounts as part of their investment holdings despite solid growth in their usage outside superannuation and among financial advisers.

Certain signs emanating from investment markets suggest people can be more optimistic about shares in the coming year, a senior economist has said.

The only way to manage an investment portfolio during periods of significant market volatility such as that currently being witnessed is to take a very long-term approach, according to a global fund manager.