We’re spending more time than ever before shopping through our smartphones and laptops rather than braving multi-storey car parks and crowded high streets. 

When the pace of economic growth begins to slow and the outlook becomes more gloomy, it makes sense for investors to start shifting their equity investments away from cyclical sectors and towards defensive ones, even if you don’t think a recession is necessarily likely to ensue.

Since pulling out of the global financial crisis, markets have been on one of the longest bull runs in history. Yet as wages stagnate, productivity slumps and living standards drop, large swathes of people in Western democracies feel left behind. Many of them are losing trust in capitalism itself.

While the Brexit deadline draws closer, the route to a deal between the UK and the European Union (EU) shows no signs of materialising.

Take Five To Stop Fraud Week is part of the national campaign from Financial Fraud Action UK and the UK Government, backed by the banking industry coming together to tackle fraud.

Some £1.2 billion is lost to investment scams every year in the UK. Contrary to popular perception, it is not just the elderly who are susceptible. Experienced investors are often targeted, and the embarrassment of those who fall victim is key to the fact that only 10% of such crimes are reported. We offer some useful warnings and advice.