Small-cap energy and resources stocks are risky and volatile
International small-cap stocks offer investors great diversification
Investors need to know that stocks with big dividend yields are not less volatile than stocks in general
Gold shares do have a role in a diversified investment portfolio, but they are secondary to gold bullion
Advisors can engineer globally diversified portfolios with customized exposures to markets
But high volatility, interest rate risk and default risk must be considered
Markets in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) have produced better returns
Many investors have fled European stocks, but that may not be the best strategy
Use visual tools to show the effects of time horizon on real returns
The ultimate portfolio diversifier, cash has been a relatively good performer