For investment trusts, 2009 has not been without its excitement. Volatile discounts have made life very difficult; the flight to quality was swiftly followed by the dash to trash as investors switched to more exotic investments

In 2009 we have seen a gold rush. Walking down the High Street, you will be fortunate not to trip over the signs of those eager to buy it.

Among the many Christmas cards received by Investment Week this year, the common theme has revolved around we are, without doubt, living in interesting times.

As it is the end of the year, I have been sorting out a lot of old bits of paper and came across an article in a consumer magazine Investors Week, which I edited at the beginning of the decade.

There has rarely been a dull moment this year. A 20% fall in the UK equity market by early March has given way to close to a 50% bounce.

Marlborough manager takes £34m fixed interest vehicle to top of peer group over one year

Over the last few weeks I have been spending a lot of time leafing through the details of the IMA's annual industry surveys in search of some big new trends.

So is it now more tax efficient to invest in a game of bingo than make a pension contribution or start an Isa?

In recent months, the corporate bond market has been firmly in positive territory. Relevant indices have risen to their highest levels of 2009.

Hail Dorothy, the wicked witch is dead! In the classic movie, the Wizard of Oz, this is the ending of one era and entering of another.