Canadians' Net Worth Climbs to $5.6 trillionBMO Harris Private Banking Expert gives perspective on what's behind the increase and if it's just a temporary blip
What:
A new report from Statistics Canada shows that Canadians are wealthier,
as household net worth1 grew
by $141 billion to $5.6 trillion during the second quarter of 2009.
While the gains mainly came from a more robust stock market, Statistics
Canada also noted that Canadians took on more debt during the April-June
time frame than during previous quarters.
With the recession now coming to an end, these new statistics raise
questions including:
- Is this the beginning
of sunnier times for investors, or will the upswing be short-lived?
- What investment
sectors have led the way for Canadians to increase their net worth
and which
ones will outperform in 2010?
- With interest
rates continuing to hover near record lows, is now a good time to
borrow
and invest as part of a longer term strategy?
- How can
investors protect the gains they have made during 2009?
Who:
Paul Taylor, MBA, CFA - Senior
Vice President & Chief Investment
Officer, BMO Harris Private Banking.
Mr. Taylor is responsible
for the management of over $11 billion of assets for BMO Harris Private
Banking. He is a regular commentator on
Canada's Business News Network and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's
Nightly Business Report.
For
news media interviews, please contact:
Martha McInnis, Toronto, 416-867-3996
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1Net
worth includes Canadians' household assets minus their liabilities.