Today, almost everyone is weighing up the pros and cons of electric vehicles, which in turn could mean a golden investment opportunity, according to Maike Currie of Fidelity International. 'Consumer scepticism around EVs is abating - gone are the days where people questioned whether they would get them to the shops, the availability of charging points and what happens if the car breaks down,' she says.

Income-seeking investors had just started to see dividends recover following the pandemic, but are now facing a fresh crisis as inflation takes hold and markets turn red. If, as is feared, a recession is next the situation will worsen as company profits founder and some firms will go bust. Finance experts give their take on strategies income investors might pursue in the current challenging climate and offer fund and trust tips.

Biotech has suffered after a Covid boom and Ailsa Craig of International Biotechnology Trust says that 'valuations have now come right back down to pre-pandemic levels.' However, with growth stocks out of fashion but biotechnology firms continuing to forge ahead with their innovations, she believes investors are being presented with an opportunity in the sector.

Over the past two decades, the Dogs of the Footsie have stumbled at times, with share prices falling from one period to the next. But they have undoubtedly delivered consistently high dividend yields, which has been particularly important in recent years, when saving rates have been at rock bottom. When Midas last looked at the Dogs, it was the summer of 2020. Back then, our ten Dogs were dominated by financial firms. Today, the picture is rather different.

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

For most investors, last week's base-rate rise was meant to be smooth sailing. All signals were pointing to the Bank of England opting for another increase. But by the time the Monetary Policy Committee met on Thursday, the FTSE 250 had already fallen 4.36%.

Modern work pensions are essentially cheap investment products provided and subsidised by employers. At a time when money is tight, it's worth exploring what they can do for you - including some obscure and surprising add-on benefits. Auto enrolment into work pensions takes the hassle out of saving for retirement, but you could be missing a trick or two by not looking any further than that.

Infrastructure is an important part of all our lives, providing essential services to support economic and social activity - and it is constantly evolving, explains Rob Morgan. 'For those seeking income, or a stable component to a portfolio that offsets shares, infrastructure investments can provide steady, more predictable returns.' he says. And meanwhile, companies that can help solve pressing environmental and social issues often find themselves in fast-growing markets, he adds.

They are digging out this income in various ways - by investing in dividend-friendly overseas companies, buying bonds rather than equities, or investing in income generating solar panels. In some instances, the investment trusts are employing clever tactics to pay shareholders their returns - converting some capital gains into income payments or using income reserves accumulated over years to keep dividend payments sweet. Of course, with inflation heading towards 10 per cent, these income payments cannot fully counter the impact of rising prices. But in most instances, shareholders can expect long-term growth in the capital value of their investments - even if markets fall further short-term.

Investors should look beyond corporate and political rhetoric, remembering that the bulk of the profits of BP and Shell are made overseas. The markets seem persuaded that oil prices will remain high as a result of the impact on supply of the war in Ukraine, and because Opec members have limited capacity to boost production. Despite soaring prices for oil and petrol, demand seems not to be slumping either in the UK or elsewhere, leading some analysts to suggest that prices could move higher seeking a level where usage might reduce.

Investors trying to think long term in volatile times can find a vast array of funds and trusts anticipating trends such as population growth and increased investment to combat climate change. We look at what investors should consider before risking their money in any kind of thematic fund, and which big developments might offer the most richest opportunities over the next few decades. Investing experts also suggest funds and trusts giving exposure to some of the most exciting trends.

Investors are steeling themselves for a recession as central bankers and politicians struggle to get soaring inflation under control. During troubled times, the conventional advice to investors is 'don't panic' and look to the long term, but it is always worth reviewing your portfolio to ensure it is well positioned against the worst shocks. Investment bank Peel Hunt got its sector teams to identify the companies they consider best placed to withstand a tougher environment.

Nearly one in 10 adults earn more than £50,000 a year, and around a third describe themselves as confident or in control when in comes to money, according to a survey of people in this wage bracket. But many do not invest, underestimate how much they need to save for a comfortable retirement, and have not sought financial advice, says financial services firm Brewin Dolphin.

After energy, property is the investment sector with the most planet-saving power, says Becky O'Connor of Interactive Investor. It currently accounts for more than a third of carbon emissions, she explains. Meanwhile, a large part of the sustainability challenge for the industry is correcting mistakes of the past. So what are the most promising areas to invest in, and how do you get exposure?

Households should act now to fight the impact of 'stealth taxes' that are set to cost us an extra £7.5bn this year. The shocking figure was revealed by the Daily Mail this week, and comes amid a sting of rising house prices, soaring inflation, and frozen tax thresholds. When people's earnings rise to combat inflation, but tax thresholds are static, more people are pulled into higher tax brackets. This is known as 'fiscal drag'.

Inflation is an issue for investors if the dividends they receive are unable to keep pace with rising prices. Especially so if investment income forms an important part of a household's monthly financial armoury. In light of the hostile inflationary backdrop, experts believe investors need to be a bit more imaginative, a bit more flexible, in terms of where they look for investment income. They shouldn't just look at shares, but consider other financial assets.

This charge affects profits. There are two type of asset: tangible (plant and machinery) and intangible (copyrights, loans, patents, trademarks and suchlike). If a loan has gone bad or seems highly likely to do so, an impairment charge will be made. Such a write-down may also be necessary if demand for a brand has slumped, or an event has occurred that will put the asset out of use, such as a fire or hurricane destroying a major production facility.

Once upon a time, not that long ago, investing for the younger generation - barring the select few with deep pockets - was tricky and expensive, with plenty of barriers of entry. Last week, AJ Bell launched Dodl - so, how does it compare to other platforms when it comes to fees for novice investors.

I am worried about the impact of inflation on my investments and I have heard gold is a good hedge. What is the best way to invest in the commodity?

Sometimes investors have to ask themselves a few awkward questions, and this is one of those times. You may think that your portfolio is diversified, sheltering you from storms. But could this be an illusion? Harry Markowitz, the American economist who won a Nobel Prize in 1990 for work on the subject, described diversification as 'the only free lunch in finance'. 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket' - an appropriate analogy for the Easter weekend - is often put forward as a basic rule of investment, but it is not quite as straightforward as the homespun proverb suggests.

When markets are falling and fear sets in, it is rarely a good time to start planning a new investment strategy and deciding what to buy or sell. Decisions made in this mindset are often reactive and rushed rather than well thought through. That's where a 'crash shopping list' can prove useful. This is a list of companies or funds that you have researched, believe show potential, and would be willing to buy at the right price. With a plan in place, it is easier to get to business.

We asked you to send us your investment questions after we launched our beginner's guide to stocks and shares last month. From investing small amounts via lump sum deposits or regular contributions to learning what happens if an investment platform goes out of business, here we ask the experts what you want to know.

Many people have good intentions to invest ethically, but are hesitant to take radical action with an existing portfolio they may have built and nurtured over many years. If you are interested in sustainable investing, but aren't sure what to ditch and keep, or how to find and probe decent replacement funds and trusts, we have asked financial experts to explain what steps to take.

Ethical investing jargon tends to baffle investors, with most admitting they have little to no understanding of the terms often bandied around by the finance industry. The majority of investors quizzed for a survey last year admitted they were stumped by acronyms like ESG, and just two in five people were sure they knew the meaning of responsible investing. And yet many more people have piled into responsible investments over the past few years, and research repeatedly shows most savers want their money used to help combat climate change.

Global government bond markets are vast and affect everyone who pays tax, saves or invests. But it's often hard to tell what's going on when there's a surge in bond buying or a sell-off because the jargon used by industry insiders can be pretty impenetrable. We unscramble it here to help everyone else fathom what's going on.

Investment fund names are often a baffling mixture of impressive but vague words, which mean little to people who aren't already clued up on financial jargon. People hoping to boost their savings by buying a fund or trust face a steep learning curve, unless they're lucky enough to have a friend in the know or are willing to fork out fees to a financial adviser. We offer a short cut, and explain what all the fancy terms really mean.