WATERLOO, ON, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - Canadians are growing more positive about a wide range of investments amid the current economic news, according to a national poll for Manulife Financial, Canada's leading insurance and wealth management company.

For the third straight quarter, the overall Manulife Investment Sentiment Index registered a strong gain, while eight of 10 investment categories and vehicles rose in the latest quarterly poll for Manulife in mid-September.

The 43rd quarterly index gained five points to reach +25, the first time it has been higher than levels before the recent recession. The latest survey reflects a sharp increase from last December, when the index hit its lowest point in a decade at plus five, then recovered six points in March and another nine in June.

"Canadians appear to be more optimistic about a range of investments this fall, after leaning toward safer havens earlier this year," said Paul Rooney, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. "Stocks and investment funds generally seem to be regaining favour."

Among 10 investment categories and vehicles, stocks and Registered Retirement Savings Plans showed strong gains in the national telephone poll of 1,000 Canadians by Research House, an Environics Company.

"The past year has been volatile for many Canadians and we always encourage investors to work with an advisor and stick to a plan. That helps them stay focused on their goals, plus balance their various types of investments," Mr. Rooney added.

Manulife serves more than one in five Canadians with a wide range of financial services and products and one of our key goals is to help them make better financial decisions, he said.

Overall index

Since its launch in 1999, the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index has remained in positive territory overall. It peaked at +35 in early 2000, but fell to +11 in December 2001. During the past several years, the index had generally remained near six-year highs, above +20. But it suffered a sharp drop a year ago and again in December, to hit an all-time low of +5.

The quarterly index monitors how Canadians say they feel about investing in 10 different categories and vehicles. The index reflects the percentage of those who say they believe it is a good or very good time to invest minus those who feel the opposite.

Investment categories gain ground

Highlights this quarter include a rebound for stocks, which showed the biggest swing followed closely by Registered Retirement Savings Plans.

After some wild moves earlier this year, investment property and investing in their own homes remained relatively stable this quarter.