Although just one-third of Canadian investors are optimistic about the growth of the domestic economy over the next five years, more than half (52%) are still optimistic about their financial future over that same time period, according to the findings of a recently released survey from Toronto-based Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc.
The firm’s investor sentiment report, which asks Canadian investors about their investing habits and attitudes, found that their outlook toward the domestic economy and their own finances do not necessarily match.
Approximately four-fifths (82%) of Canadian investors believe the domestic economy will grow by 2% or less in 2016. Still, Canadian investors continue to focus their investments on domestic assets.
In fact, 34% of the average Canadian’s investment portfolio holds Canadian stocks and stock mutual funds and 13% of that portfolio is made up of Canadian bonds and bond mutual funds. Foreign stocks, bonds and mutual funds are limited to 12% of the average Canadian’s portfolio. (About 5% of the average Canadian’s portfolio is in exchange-trade funds, 11% is in “other” and 25% is in cash.)
The survey also finds that few Canadians plan to expand the foreign focus within their portfolio in the near future.
“Only 16% of respondents say they plan to invest more in foreign assets in the next year,” says Rick Headrick, president of Sun Life Global Investments, in a statement. “This finding underscores the importance of investors sitting down with an advisor to ensure their portfolios are positioned effectively.”
Ipsos Reid conducted the research on behalf of Sun Life Global Investments between July 20 and Aug. 8. A sample of 1,502 Canadians between the ages of 25 and 80 with a minimum of $25,000 in investable assets was used.