TD survey finds rising confidence has boosted annual total to 14 per cent of income

TORONTO, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Rising stock markets are boosting investor confidence and leading Canadians to increase the share of income they invest, according to the latest TD Investor Insights Index. The annual survey found that more than half of Canadian investors saw their investments improve over the past 12 months and nearly as many expect continued gains in the year ahead. As a result, Canadian investors now invest 14 per cent of their income, up from 12.6 per cent in 2013, with one in five investors planning to increase the proportion of income they invest if stock markets continue to improve.

"Canadian investors have acted on the positive view of market conditions in Canada and the United States that they expressed a year ago by boosting the amount of money they invest in a small but significant way," said Bob Gorman, Chief Portfolio Strategist at TD Wealth. "With many investors expressing similarly positive views this year, we could see even higher levels of investment going forward."

The TD Investor Insights Index found that more than a third of Canadian investors expect the Canadian and U.S. economies to improve over the next 12 months, up from about a quarter who expected improvements in 2013. Gorman notes that this rising confidence is helping investors get closer to their ideal goal of investing about a quarter of their income each year to meet their long-term financial goals.

"With stock markets hitting record highs recently, it's understandable why investors are in a buoyant mood and looking to invest a bigger share of their income," said Gorman. "But even if markets slip back somewhat, there are great opportunities for investors to continue to earn solid returns if they choose a balanced portfolio that offers the prospect of growth while respecting their individual tolerance for risk."

Many Canadian investors say that, despite rising stock markets, living through the recent economic crisis has made them more cautious investors, with one-third describing their risk tolerance as low, a figure that hasn't changed since the 2013 survey. For investors getting close to retirement age, the proportion with a low risk tolerance jumps to 41 per cent.  Mutual funds continue to be the most popular type of investment in Canada, held by more than two-thirds of investors, followed by GICs/Term Deposits and individual stocks and shares. Real estate also remains a popular investment, with nearly four out of 10 investors who say it will always be beneficial.

Investment Goals

The TD Investor Insights Index identified funding retirement and achieving financial independence as the most important long-term investment goals for Canadians, a continuing trend from the 2013 survey. Funding retirement is also the top short-term goal, but travel comes second, followed closely by financial independence and paying off debt. Buying a house is the short-term and long-term goal for about one in 10 Canadian investors.

But the survey also found that, despite having these goals, nearly a third of Canadian investors do not follow an investment strategy or rarely follow one, and that only one in five have a strategy and stick to it each time they make an investment decision. It also found that almost half of Canadian investors struggle to understand the different investments that are available today and aren't sure where to go to get trustworthy advice.

"It can be difficult to develop an investment plan to achieve your short and long-term goals, particularly with so many investment options to choose from," said Gorman. "That's why an increasing number of investors are turning to financial advisors to learn about their options and create an investment plan that meets their needs."

About the TD 2014 Investor Insights Index

The 2014 Investor Insights Index survey was conducted on behalf of TD Wealth by Head Research. The national online survey of 1,002 respondents among Canadian investors who purchased or sold investments in the past 12 months and who currently hold at least one investment product was conducted between May 12 and May 16, 2014, with a statistical margin of error of +/- 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

About TD Wealth

TD Wealth represents the products and services of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., TD Waterhouse Private Investment Counsel Inc., TD Wealth Private Banking (offered by The Toronto-Dominion Bank) and TD Wealth Private Trust (offered by The Canada Trust Company).

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves over 22 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.) and an investment in TD Ameritrade; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 8 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$896 billion in assets on April 30, 2014. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

SOURCE TD Bank Group

Image with caption: "Canadian Investors' Growing Confidence (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140707_C9771_PHOTO_EN_41956.jpg