Canadians’ interest in investing rebounded in all areas and reached its strongest level in 18 months by the end of 2003, according to a recent national poll for Manulife Financial.

The 20th quarterly Manulife Investor Sentiment Index, based on a national survey conducted in mid-December, found Canadians were regaining optimism about all types of investments and vehicles. Balanced funds, segregated funds and RESPs led the way, while real estate remained the overall favourite place for investors to put their money.

For the first time in five years since Manulife Financial launched the index, all 10 categories of investments and vehicles gained strength over a previous national poll in September.

The overall Manulife Investor Sentiment Index climbed seven points to +23 in the latest survey, its highest level since mid-2002 and only the second time it reached that level since the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

“More Canadians are seeing positive developments in a range of markets and are keeping their focus on long-term investment goals,” said Bruce Gordon, Manulife Financial’s executive VP and general manager of Canadian Operations. “Canadians generally continue to favour safe places to invest — particularly their homes, RRSPs, RESPs and investment real estate — while other areas are also gaining support.”

A separate question found most Canadians surveyed (55%) feel they’re in better financial shape than five years ago, when the investor sentiment index was first launched. Another 22% feel they’ve held their financial ground since 1999, while 23% said they feel worse off.

During the past five years, the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index has remained in positive territory overall, despite some moves into negative areas for stocks, particularly after the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

The highest point reached during the past five years was +35, in mid- 2000, while the index hit a low of +11 in December 2001.

The overall Winter 2003 Manulife Investor Sentiment Index of +23, based on a survey of 1,002 Canadians by Maritz: Thompson Lightstone, was up from last December’s level of +19.

The quarterly index monitors what Canadians say they feel about 10 different investment categories and vehicles. The index reflects the percentage of those surveyed who say they believe it is a good or very good time to invest — minus the percentage who feel the opposite.

Among six investment categories in the quarterly survey, the largest swing since the fall appeared in the index for investing in balanced funds, reflecting renewed strength in equity markets and continuing low interest rates. After a mid-year slowdown in interest in housing, investing in their own homes and investment properties continue to be the two leading investment categories and the most popular places for Canadians to put their money.