News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 23, 2011) - Even before the recent tumult in financial markets, two-thirds of Canadian investors (66 per cent) were already concerned about the current and/or future performance of their portfolios, according to a BMO InvestorLine study released today.

As well, though the survey by Leger Marketing was conducted prior to the recent volatility in the financial markets, the results show that the majority of Canadians were already closely monitoring their investments. In fact, 69 per cent stated that they pay close attention to their investment portfolios throughout the year, with the typical summer vacations and family commitments having little impact on their financial involvement.

"It's reassuring that Canadian investors are monitoring their portfolios regularly throughout the year," said Connie Stefankiewicz, President and CEO, BMO InvestorLine. "No matter the circumstances, it's beneficial for investors to stay on top of their investments and make sure they are sticking to their financial plan."

The study also revealed the top triggers that cause Canadians to pay more attention to their portfolios, including:

• Personal situation such as household expenses, debt and life events (49 per cent)
• Sudden changes in the stock market (43 per cent)
• Political/economic unrest in parts of the world (35 per cent)

Connie Stefankiewicz offers the following tips on how to stay afloat in a turbulent market:

• Stay informed – By keeping on top of current market conditions, you will be better positioned to capitalize on significant investment opportunities. Also, having and sticking to a financial plan that aligns with your investment goals and risk levels will ensure that your portfolio will be able to meet your long-term goals.
  
  
• Keep calm – It's best not to overreact when the market takes a downward turn. Try not to be too emotional or make impulsive moves with your investments. It's important to avoid market timing and stay focused on long-term investment goals.
  
  
• Balance it out – Building a well-diversified portfolio can help lower risk. Ensure that your investment portfolio has a proper mix of investments that minimize risk while maximizing return. It is also important to re-visit your asset mix annually.
  
  

"Taking advantage of online resources is another way Canadians can better manage their investments," continued Ms. Stefankiewicz. "Those who are interested in online investing should look for a platform that is easy to use and can provide access to information tailored to their individual needs."

Connie Stefankiewicz suggests the following tools:

BMO InvestorLine Asset Allocator – This tool assists investors in determining an asset allocation mix that fits well with their financial objectives and risk tolerance. The Asset Allocator provides an easy, convenient and quick way to find out the right asset mix for their portfolio.

BMO InvestorLine Portfolio Tracker – The Portfolio Tracker allows investors to monitor the performance of their portfolio's gains/losses over time and benchmark it against other market indices.

BMO InvestorLine Markets and News – BMO InvestorLine provides clients with daily Canadian market commentaries and news headlines, analyst opinions, upgrades/downgrades and earnings warnings.

The online survey was conducted by Leger Marketing from August 2 – August 4, 2011, with 1501 Canadian adults.