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Investor sentiment drops as markets rise, survey finds

Investor sentiment drops as markets rise, survey finds Canada NewsWire Meeting wit...

articleBank Of Nova ScotiaJanuary 21, 20265/company/bank-of-nova-scotia/news/investor-sentiment-drops-as-markets-rise-survey-finds
Investor sentiment drops as markets rise, survey finds

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[{"type":"text","content":"Investor sentiment drops as markets rise, survey finds\n\n\nInvestor sentiment drops as markets rise, survey finds\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\n\n\nMeeting with a financial advisor helps alleviate concerns\nTORONTO, Jan. 21, 2026 /CNW/ - Although the Canadian equity market appreciated significantly in 2025, more Canadians are feeling negative towards their investments than a year ago.\nResults of the annual Scotia Global Asset Management Investor Sentiment survey, released today, indicate that 44% of investors surveyed are feeling negative about their investments, compared to only 32% a year ago.\nTop risks to portfolios over the next one to two years respondents cited were: cost of living (49%), economic recession (49%) and trade tariffs (46%).\nSeparately, Scotiabank's sixth annual Worry Poll, which looks at how Canadians feel about their finances more broadly, also finds that many are still feeling anxious about their money – with Canadians spending on average a considerable 18 hours per week worrying.\n\"It is understandable to be concerned about one's investments, and while broad equity markets appreciated significantly in 2025 the ride wasn't smooth. What's key is finding a balance between managing short-term needs while at the same time not sacrificing the growth potential needed to meet long-term goals like retirement,\" says Neal Kerr, Head, Scotia Global Asset Management.\nRetirement savings a greater cause for concern\nApproximately four in ten investors (38%) say they are more concerned about funding their retirement than a year ago – and while long-term saving remains the top financial priority for most, more are focused on managing day-to-day expenses (17%) and paying down or restructuring debt (10%) than in 2024. \nProfessional financial advice spurs confidence\nFor those who met with their advisor in the past six months, 86% say their advisor makes them feel confident in their financial situation, compared to only 68% who had not met with their advisor in that period. More than half (57%) of investors w...

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