Feb 2, 2026
Canadian equity markets delivered solid gains in 2025, but many investors say that didn’t translate into peace of mind. And a new survey suggests confidence has actually slipped.
According to a new investor sentiment survey from Scotiabank, 44% of Canadian investors say they feel negatively about their investments, up from 32% a year earlier. The results point to a growing gap between headline market performance and how Canadians actually feel about their financial situation.
Advertisement
“It is understandable to be concerned about one’s investments,” said Neal Kerr, Head of Scotia Global Asset Management, in a statement.
“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.”
Cost of living still overshadows market gains
When asked what worries them most over the next one to two years, investors pointed first to pressures that go beyond the stock market. Cost of living and recession risks were each cited by 49% of respondents, followed by trade tariffs (46%).
That anxiety shows up in daily life as well. Scotiabank’s separate Worry Poll found Canadians spend an average of 18 hours per week worrying about their finances, suggesting that inflation, debt and economic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on households, regardless of market returns.
Must Read
- Stop the leak: 5 costs Canadians (still) overpay for every single month. How many are sabotaging your 2026 budget?
- What's your worth? Here are the 3 net worth milestones that change everything for Canadians (and what they say about you)
- Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Retirement concerns are growing
Even though markets recovered through 2025, many Canadians say they feel less secure about the long term outlook. For example, the survey found 38% of investors are more concerned about funding their retirement than they were a year ago.
At the same time, financial priorities continue to shift. While long-term saving remains important, more investors say they are focused on managing day-to-day expenses (17%) and paying down or restructuring debt (10%) than they were in 2024.
The tension between staying invested and needing financial flexibility may help explain why confidence hasn’t rebounded alongside markets.
Advice makes a measurable difference
One of the clearest findings in the survey is the role professional advice plays in easing anxiety.
Among investors who met with a financial advisor in the past six months, 86% said their advisor made them feel confident about their financial situation, compared with 68% among those who hadn’t met with one.
Advertisement
“Regular meetings with financial advisors go a long way to addressing questions and alleviating concerns,” Kerr said.
Still, many investors say they want more support. Fifty-seven percent said they would like additional assistance from their advisor to feel more confident about their finances.
Read more: The ultra-rich are bailing on volatile stocks right now — these 4 shockproof assets are their new safe havens
Younger investors cautious about AI tools
Younger investors are more open to using technology for guidance, but few rely on it alone, according to Scotiabank’s survey.
Among investors under 40, 43% have used social media and 38% have used AI tools to help inform investment decisions. Even so, only 7% of all investors said they’ve made decisions based solely on AI recommendations.
Notably, 65% of investors under 40 still say an advisor is their primary way of managing investments, reinforcing that human guidance remains central, even as new tools gain traction.
For many Canadian investors, with everyday costs remaining high and long-term goals feeling further out of reach, confidence may be less about returns and more about clarity, planning, and reliable financial advice.
You May Also Like
- Here’s how to retire in 10 short years no matter where you live in Canada — even if you’re starting with $0 savings
- If you’re still feeling the pinch this month — don’t panic. Here are 5 easy ways to fix your finances without a total overhaul
- How Warren Buffett’s simple buy-and-hold real estate approach offers a lesson for Canadian homeowners and long-term investors
- Approaching retirement with no savings? Don’t panic, you're not alone. Here are easy ways you can catch up (and fast)
Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and US brands, while also working as a ghostwriter for financial influencers.
