News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 30, 2011) - Continued global market volatility is causing Canadians to consider safer investment options more so now than during the market downturn of 2008, according to a BMO survey released today.

The BMO survey, conducted by Leger Marketing, found:

• In the current market conditions, three quarters (72 per cent) of Canadian investors are willing to sacrifice potential gains for stability and security.
• One-in-three investors (36 per cent) are more open to including guaranteed investments, such as Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) or bonds than in 2008.
• Women are more likely than men to play it safe.

"One way for investors to help insulate their investments from the ups and downs of the markets is by boosting the percentage of fixed income investments in their portfolios, such as GICs, while increasing their cash savings where possible over the short term," said Domenic Gallippi, Head of Term Investment Products, BMO Bank of Montreal.

Mr. Gallippi added that fixed investments do not necessarily mean locking-in money over the long-term at a fixed rate. For example, market-linked GICs, such as the BMO Blue Chip GIC, offer a short-term guaranteed investment option at one year, while providing exposure to some of Canada's most reliable blue chip companies.

Paul Taylor, Chief Investment Officer, BMO Harris Private Banking, noted that not all investment products are created equal, and it is important for investors to examine their options and diversify their portfolio to balance risk and align with their life stage and overall financial goals.

"While a savvy investor who's more comfortable with risk can certainly experience potentially higher gains playing the markets directly, a market-linked GIC product allows risk-averse investors exposure to potentially higher gains while protecting their principal investment," said Mr. Taylor.

BMO advises Canadians looking for ways to leverage guaranteed or fixed investments to visit a local branch and speak with a BMO financial advisor.

Additional findings include:

• Those 55+ are more willing to sacrifice potential gains for stability and security compared to those under 55 (82 per cent vs. 66 per cent).
• Regionally, those in Quebec are more likely to say they are willing to forego a percentage of growth for security compared to those in Alberta (77 per cent vs. 63 per cent).

The survey was completed on-line from September 6th to September 8th, 2011 using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1506 Canadians 18 years of age or older. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of 2.5 per cent 19 times out of 20.