Investors can look at a portfolio consisting of a 60 per cent weighting to equities and a 40 per cent weighting to bonds as a good starting point.

Investors should be considering alternative strategies given the usual risk-reducing relationship between bonds and shares has been nearly overturned.

Individuals should not lend too much weight to market forecasts to determine the asset allocations within their investment portfolios.

Individuals should currently be undertaking an investment portfolio rebalance to strengthen their capital protection and lower their overall risk.

Investment returns will likely be below historical averages for the next five years due to a number of global economic and political factors.

Long-term SMSF investors may find private equity investments, which are becoming more accessible to them, well suited to their needs for returns without volatility.