Your investment journey can be greatly enhanced by following a few simple steps to filter out bad stocks and leave you with a universe of more interesting selections. The new issue of Shares has five ways to check if a company is up to scratch in an easy-to-follow guide that is suitable for both beginners and experienced investors.

Also in Shares this week is a list of investment ideas for the over-70s, a new way to invest in property and a closer look at four products that tap investors' favourite funds. Plus there's lots of other interesting features, company news, our best investment ideas, market stats and much more.