Fewer than 7 in 10 women feel confident when investing versus more than 8 in 10 of men, new research shows.
Online investing service BMO InvestorLine unveils this finding in a survey of 1,308 adult Canadians conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights, a Canadian public opinion and market research firm. The study examines the confidence levels and investing styles and priorities of Canadian women and men.
The report shows that 68 percent of women feel confident when investing, versus 83 percent of men. Almost 60 percent of Canadians also believe that society supports men over women with respect to investing.
When Canadians were asked why women might lack confidence when investing, the study found that:
- 83 percent believe that investing has traditionally been viewed as a role for men.
- 58 percent report that society is not as supportive of women investing as they are of men.
- 48 percent contend that women are intimidated by investing.
"History and society have not viewed men and women equally with respect to investing," says BMO InvestorLine President Julie Barker-Merz. "However the times are changing; women currently control one third of all wealth in North America and this is increasing by eight percent annually.
