Gold, which is seen as a safe haven in times of uncertainty, hit a record £1,300 per ounce before settling at £1,293. In dollar terms, it jumped to a seven-year high of $1,677.21 per ounce.

While investors watched their portfolios with concern as stock markets dropped on coronavirus fears, some funds and trusts climbed significantly.

These are difficult days. At times, it feels like the world is shuddering to a halt. There are fewer people as I wind my way to and from work every day and night on public transport.

Market panics and emergency measures like a 0.5% rate cut in the US could be a sign of things to come, and may drive the gold price above its all-time peak of $1,900 in summer 2011.

The FTSE 100 has gone nowhere in 20 years, so why are investors told to think long-term? That is the question those of us who advocate investing deserve to face.

Stock markets are in freefall as coronavirus threatens to tip the world into recession. The FTSE fell another 4 per cent yesterday, taking losses in the past three weeks to more than 30 per cent.

The longest recovery was 1,529 days following the 2008 financial crisis, but the 1987 crash also took well over 1,000 days - so will this be an average, slow or swift bounce back?

A number of asset managers have suspended trading on their open-ended property funds as markets continue to be rocked by the coronavirus panic.

History, we are told, provides lessons. But a study of the scary details of past stock market crashes is of little help in showing us precisely how we should react to the current slump.

The firm says it is concentrating staff between 8am and 5pm on weekdays. The firm's lines were previously open until 7pm on weekdays and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.

Interactive Investor's determination to take the DIY investing fight to the UK's leading platform Hargreaves Lansdown was signalled again as it bought out a rival.

In buying shares in their own firms, directors are signalling they have confidence in the company's future - and that the share price represents good value.

Some people will disapprove of the idea of making money from this struggle. But investors have been snapping up shares in businesses developing vaccines or tests.

Tight controls haven't inhibited Terry Smith in running his well-honed Fundsmith investment empire that spans London, Connecticut and Mauritius, where he lives.

Markets which bet on the future value of dividends paid by FTSE 100 companies indicate that two-thirds of the missing payouts could be lost forever.

Five years has always been the standard stipulation from financial experts as the minimum period that small investors should plan to remain in the market.

With Covid-19 dominating the news, the focus on healthcare has never been greater. Companies making everything from vaccines to disinfectant are suddenly having their moment in the sun.

Share prices have rallied since governments began injecting billions into faltering economies. But Elliott Management and Peter Hargreaves are warning of further heavy falls.

Many leading investment platforms offer ready-made Isa portfolios, but what is in them?

The board of the £509million Temple Bar investment trust has served notice to its manager Ninety One, after portfolio manager Alastair Mundy stepped down for health reasons.

Despairing income investors watching dividends shrivel or vanish should consider corporate debt, say experts.

Anglo Pacific Group PLC (LON:APF) has access to a huge amount of financial firepower, both from its own balance sheet and in the form of various borrowing facilities that are in place.

In the 1936, the War Office turned a disused mine into an underground weapons store. In 2008 it was acquired by Restore, which is now the second largest data storage firm in Britain.

Royal Mail employees have kept services operating in the midst of a crisis. So it is surprising Back has chosen, since the shutdown began on March 23, to hunker down with his family abroad.

For everyone managing a pension or investment fund, Shell's decision to slash its dividend by two-thirds and suspend promised share buybacks will be a profound shock.

When Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party were proposing to go on a spending spree ahead of last December's general election there was much talk of a magic money tree.

ITV's chief exec Carolyn McCall has done the right things to limit the scarring. Some 800 workers have been furloughed, the dividend and executive pay have been cut and costs severely pruned.

The Manchester City right-back hosted a £2,000 sex party with escorts while the Aston Villa captain crashed his £70,000 Range Rover after partying at a friend's flat.

Ed Woodward has warned that Manchester United will curb their spending this summer and cannot break the world transfer record to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham for £200million.

The 37-year-old has been the figurehead of BT Sport's coverage of the Scottish game for eight years and their impact has been akin to the Glasgow kiss of the city that produced him.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have ruled the football globe for more than a decade, but Jose Mourinho believes Ronaldo Nazario eclipses both the Juventus and Barcelona stars.

Former Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has warned the club on pursuing top targets Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho as they might come 'for the money'.

Thomas Meunier has been 'clearly won over' by Jose Mourinho, putting Tottenham 'at the front of the queue' to sign him. The PSG defender becomes a free agent in the summer.

The 27-year-old, who has undertaken two separate fortnights in quarantine, is likely to have to self-isolate for another 14 days with the authorities tightening up measures for those jetting into the country.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he has not interest in ever coaching in the Premier League again as it doesn't fit his style of management.

A brilliant strike from Tomas Rosicky in the second minute of the match secured a 1-0 victory for the Gunners at White Hart Lane in March 2014 against their north London rivals.

The Serbia international is set to become one of Europe's hottest properties when the transfer market reopens for business after the suspension of football for the coronavirus pandemic.

England midfielder Harry Winks has called on men to be open about any struggles they are having with life in lockdown.

It has been six weeks since the Premier League came to an abrupt halt but now Spurs have been given the green light to resume training again - as long as they adhere to social distancing rules.

Dimitar Berbatov has heaped praise on Manchester United striker Anthony Martial, speaking highly of the 'unbelievable' talent he saw when they were together at Monaco. 

It's a month since chairman Daniel Levy called on all players to agree pay cuts to help football survive the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN: The country's leading clubs have reaffirmed their commitment to women's football amid concerns over the impact of the coronavirus crisis on it.

There have been a number of fierce clashes between the two sides in recent seasons, with the pair regularly competing at the top end of the Premier League and in domestic cups.

England captain Kane suffered the hamstring injury at Southampton on New Year's Day and has now recovered, but Mourinho expressed doubts over the striker's match sharpness.

Now in charge of Tottenham, Mourinho (left) insists he was not aware that the 15-year anniversary was today and is instead looking towards winning a fourth Premier League title in total.

JOE BERNSTEIN: Mourinho breezed into Stamford Bridge in June, 2004, having just won the Champions League with Porto. He quickly declared himself as the 'special one'.

Mauricio Pochettino tugged on Tottenham heartstrings this week when he spoke of his love for the club enduring despite his sacking in November.

Chelsea winger Willian admitted he keeps in contact with Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho and would be open to a summer transfer as his contract with Chelsea is almost up.

England defender Kieran Trippier is facing a lengthy ban and a fine after being charged by the Football Association with breaching betting rules.

AHEAD OF THE GAME: Chelsea players' U-turn on accepting pay cuts last weekend followed pressure from players at other Premier League clubs