- First-ever International TD Women Investor Poll reveals attitudes and habits of female investors in Canada, the U.K., and U.S.; finds similarities over the border and across the pond -

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - The majority of women who manage their investments online feel they've been successful at closely matching or outperforming the markets, according to the first-ever International TD Women Investor Poll, for which TD Waterhouse (Canada), TD Direct Investing (U.K.) and TD Ameritrade (U.S.) teamed up to survey women investors in different countries to reveal their thoughts and attitudes about a variety of investment topics.

More than twice as many women in the U.S. (31%) and U.K. (38%) manage their investments online compared with their Canadian counterparts (13%).  "While Canada may currently have fewer online investors compared to the U.S. and U.K., women investors are one of our fastest growing customer segments," says Rowena Chan, Vice President, TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage.  "With our new and enhanced platforms and the introduction of great tools like the Mobile App, we're always working to make online investing even easier for our clients."

Of these women online investors, more than three-quarters in Canada (76%) say they've consistently outperformed, or performed close to the market. This is consistent with women investors in the U.S. and U.K. who say they've also been successful managing their own investments online (81% and 82% respectively).

The majority of women online investors in all three countries (Canada: 87%, U.S.: 94% and U.K.: 87%) also say they are quite confident or level-headed about managing their portfolio, although in each country surveyed, approximately one-in-ten women (Canada: 13%, U.S.: 6% and U.K.: 13%) say they're nervous and "never feel like they're making the right decisions when it comes to their investments."

"We want women investors to feel empowered to manage their investments online, no matter their level of financial and investing knowledge. There are resources to help you get started, and tools and support available online and on the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week," says Chan. "You are investing for yourself, but you don't have to do it by yourself. There's always resources and information available."

What can we learn from investors' confidence and success? The top three pieces of advice from women investors across all three countries for those thinking of becoming do-it-yourself investors are:

1. Do your research - understand the economy and the markets (Canada: 68%, U.S.: 73% and U.K.: 64%)
2. Start small and work your way up once you are comfortable (Canada: 67%, U.S.: 61% and U.K.: 64%)
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help, you don't have to do it alone (Canada: 58%, U.S.: 59% and U.K.: 48%)

Market volatility and attitudes about risk
The majority of women say they have changed nothing in their portfolio in reaction to volatility in the markets (Canada: 61%, U.S.: 54%, U.K.: 52%), saying they are confident they have a long-term plan that can weather the volatility.

"Try to avoid emotional reactions to what you're seeing in the markets. It's important to think long-term when the markets get rough," says Chan. "Think about the number of years you have until retirement, and your risk tolerance, and tailor your investment strategy accordingly."

Generally, women say they are risk-averse; Canadian and British women report to be the most conservative. Thirty-eight percent of women in Canada and 35% of women in the U.K. say they don't want to take any chances with their money - only one quarter of American women (25%) gave this answer. The majority of women in all three countries said they are willing to take small chances to receive a better return (Canada: 58%, U.S.: 66%, U.K.: 60%), and very few women describe themselves as having a high risk tolerance (Canada: 4%, U.S. 8%, U.K.: 5%).

What does this all mean? "Women investors can be confident and successful online investors, despite the turbulence they have seen in the markets recently," adds Chan. "The keys to success include thinking long-term and educating yourself on the tools, information and research available, and most importantly, working with a company that you know and trust."

2012 International TD Women Investor Poll Graphic
For a graphic detailing the statistics outlined in this press release, please see the "2012 International TD Women Investor Poll Graphic."

About the 2012 International TD Women Investor Poll Report
TD Bank Group commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct an online custom survey of 2,014 men and women in Canada, 1,003 in the U.S. and 1,006 in the United Kingdom. All respondents have investable assets and sole or shared responsibility of the household financial planning or investment decisions.

About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 22 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Auto Finance Canada; Wealth and Insurance, including TD Waterhouse, an investment in TD Ameritrade, and TD Insurance; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, and TD Auto Finance U.S.; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 8.5 million online customers. TD had CDN$806 billion in assets on July 31, 2012.The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

About TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage
TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage is a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. - Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) have turned to TD Ameritrade's (NYSE: AMTD) technology, people and education to help make investing and trading easier to understand and do. Online or over the phone. In a branch or with an independent RIA. First-timer or sophisticated trader. Our clients want to take control, and we help them decide how—bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 36 years. An official sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, TD Ameritrade has time and again been recognized as a leader in investment services. Please visit TD Ameritrade's newsroom or www.amtd.com for more information.

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/11/14/20121114_C7896_DOC_EN_20593.pdf

SOURCE: TD Bank Group