TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2011 /CNW/ – According to a new study released today, more than one-in-three Canadians (36 per cent) feel more stressed this year about their finances than they did a year ago. Forty-three per cent of women and 53 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 18 to 34 feel this way.

The Canadian Financial Checkup survey, commissioned by Sun Life Financial, polled 2,131 respondents examining how Canadians feel about their personal finances, work and career, and the economy at the end of this year.

Canadians are also feeling stressed about the economy. According to the survey, one-in-five men indicated they feel more stressed about the economy than they did this time last year. It is also weighing heavily on Canadians 55 and older. Twenty per cent of this age group is also feeling more stress about the economy.

“It’s clear from the survey that the uncertain economic conditions are impacting Canadians and causing financial concerns during an already stressful time of year,” said Kevin Strain, Senior Vice-President, Individual Insurance and Investments, Sun Life Financial Canada. “Canadians approaching retirement are feeling these impacts the most because they are planning to put their savings into action. If they haven’t prepared accordingly, the current environment may be throwing their plans off track.”

Strain added that, “working with an advisor to create a solid financial plan that can weather this economic uncertainty can help ease the minds of Canadians.”

Results show that women (24 per cent) and Canadians aged 18 to 34 (30 per cent) are also feeling more stress about their work and career than they were a year ago.

“It’s not surprising that a greater number of women and younger Canadians are feeling more stress related to personal finances and work,” said Kimberly Moffitt, Psychotherapist, MMT and member of the Ontario Association of Counsellors, Consultants, Psychotherapists, and Psychometrists. “We’ve seen that women are often taking care of family finances, and the holidays are when we feel the impacts of our spending habits throughout the year.”

According to Moffitt, Canadians who fall in Generation Y are ambitious and want to move up quickly in the workforce, which can account for the results. She says, “The best way to deal with any kind of stress is to have a plan that is realistic. Make short-term goals for yourself and document them – if you set yourself up for success you’ll actually boost confidence and curb stress.”

Other interesting results showed stress varied by region:

• Four in 10 Ontarians are more worried this year than last about their personal finances. For B.C., Alberta and Quebec, the numbers were 31 per cent, 31 per cent and 32 per cent respectively.
• Twenty-three per cent of Quebecers are more stressed about work and career than they were last year. In Atlantic Canada and B.C., 15 per cent and 16 per cent said the same.
• Respondents from Ontario and B.C. are more stressed this year about the economy (19 per cent and 20 per cent respectively). For Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Atlantic Canada and Quebec, the numbers were: 10 per cent, 11 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

Methodology
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on December 12 and 13, 2011, on behalf of Sun Life Financial. For this survey, a sample of 2,131 adults from Ipsos’ online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100 per cent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

The dollar took a tremendous hit Tuesday as risk-sensitive assets rallied with unexpected gusto. The volatility of this past session does not necessarily surprise; but the consistency in the steady build of risky exposure certainly does. We are in the gravity of the year-end, holiday trading period when the capital markets thin out as participants balance the book and step back to await the return of liquidity in the New Year.

The dollar took a tremendous hit Tuesday as risk-sensitive assets rallied with unexpected gusto. The volatility of this past session does not necessarily surprise; but the consistency in the steady build of risky exposure certainly does. We are in the gravity of the year-end, holiday trading period when the capital markets thin out as participants balance the book and step back to await the return of liquidity in the New Year. Yet, as is plainly evident now, fear and the chance of speculation are keeping the fires burning right up to the end. However, uncertainty still works to keep a significant segment of the market on the sideline (further encouraged when year-end volatility is taken into account). As such a lack of participation should naturally lead us to doubt the development of lasting trends – that is unless something fundamentally extraordinary occurs to lines all the remaining participants up on the same side of the market or draw capital in the wings back into the fold.

As it stands now, the persistence of a lasting bull trend in speculative buildup is questionable when we look at the lackluster volume figures on the S&P 500 stock index (my favored benchmark for risk appetite). Turnover for the index measured 742 million shares – in line with the monthly average and unusually sedate for such an impressive surge in price. If we look for the fundamental basis for this drive, there was little on tap that would spark the kind of optimism such a drive would imply. What clearly stands out though was speculation of the global market’s most recent stimulus effort: the ECB’s Long-Term Repo Operation (LTRO). This program is meant to provide liquidity to European banks that are facing a wave of maturing debt over the coming year and rising short-term market rate, but there are likely end objectives for encouraging financial institutions to purchase more government debt while banks could take advantage of an easy carry trade. There is generally a positive speculative influence from stimulus efforts. What truly matters, however, is the market’s confidence over the coming 24 hours. When the central bank announces the amount of funds drawn from the unlimited, three-year (and three-month) facility; the masses will have to decide whether this is encouraging for promoting stability or a concerning indication of just how strained the European banking system truly is (and perhaps that liquidity doesn’t answer the long-term issues with a broader economic slowdown and sovereign debt collapse).

As a safe haven and liquidity currency, the dollar’s reaction to the resultant sentiment should be pretty straightforward. Looking away from the heavy influence of underlying risk trends for a moment; we should also account for the greenback’s own fundamental health. We’ll ignore the housing starts volatility and instead take note of the $35 billion auction of 5 year debt. Record low rates (0.88 percent) and a 50.6 percent take from foreign interest (the highest in 16 months) show strong demand for Treasuries and thereby dollar.

Euro Advances Only Against Funding Currencies On ECB Liquidity Dump

The ECB’s call for bids on the three-year LTRO program stole the headlines Tuesday; but this was a buy the rumor event. We won’t know what the actual allocation to the Euro-area’s banks will be until the central bank reports the allocations in the upcoming session (scheduled for 10:15 GMT). There is heavy debate (with strong cases on both sides) over whether this liquidity injection will offer lasting help to the region’s troubled financial markets. Being ‘right’ in this case does not matter for traders. If we are looking for the market impact of this event, we should watch whether this program is met with optimism or pessimism. Yet, we should recognize that these are not very conducive conditions to follow through and you don’t often see a buy-the-rumor / buy-the-news event unless there is something unexpectedly encourage (which would be difficult from this event). Meanwhile, Fitch warned the EFSF ‘AAA’ rating rested with France and put French, Italian and Spanish banks on watch.

New Zealand Dollar Restrained with Rally ahead of 3Q GDP

The kiwi dollar advanced alongside its Australian and Canadian counterparts Tuesday. Anything with a high yield or distinct investment aspect to it was lifted – and the New Zealand currency was no exception. In the upcoming session, traders should keep a close eye on the 3Q GDP reading scheduled for release. An expected jump in activity through the quarter could further support its effort to level of field with the Aussie.

British Pound on the Verge a Break Higher with BoE Minutes, ECB Money Ahead

The GfK consumer sentiment survey released early this Asian session kept optimism for the UK at a three-year low. That is a fundamental reminder of what the economic conditions facing the economy are (there is still a concerning probability of a recession). However, the economic prospects for the pound could easily be overlooked in the upcoming session as the market measures the EU’s health after the ECB LTRO.

Japanese Yen Turning Dangerously Quiet – An Opportunity for the BoJ?

USDJPY has a habit of working its way into an exceptionally small range and then post an expectedly dramatic break. This pair indeed has found its way into a narrow band of price action as market participants weigh flimsy real rates (point to JPY) and the need for liquidity (point to USD). The BoJ could take advantage of this. Though they kept policy untouched this morning, intervention is leveraged in thin markets…

Canadian Dollar Rallies Alongside Gold, Inflation and Sales Figures Add Economics

The Canadian yield may not compete with its Australian and New Zealand (even its European) counterparts; but it is still a premium to its US counterpart. Furthermore, Canada has investment potential through commodity production and export. Risk trends continue to dominate this scene; but we should pay attention to this correlation. CPI data this past session helps maintain rates; and retail sales ahead defines growth.

Gold Rebound Takes Shape as the ECB Devalues Euro, Risk Rebounds

Gold is slowly retracing its steep losses through the first half of this month. With the ECB’s liquidity infusion suppressing the Euro banks’ need to liquidate assets (including gold) to raise capital and a rebound in risk appetite sending traders on the hut for cheap assets, the precious metal is finding a bid. Maintaining this push higher depends upon the level of liquidity in the market. If the market needs funds, gold will take a hit.

OTTAWA — There were 18,600 fewer people working in this country last month, Statistics Canada said Friday, despite expectations from economists that the job market would grow by 20,000 people.

The unemployment rate for November was 7.4%, up from 7.3% a month earlier.

It was the second straight month of job losses for Canada, which saw 54,000 people leave the ranks of the employed in October.

BMO Capital Markets economist Robert Kavcic pointed out that, since the middle of this year, there have been average employment losses of about 2,000 people per month, “so there’s no question that employment growth has cooled sharply.”

Still, Kavcic noted that some of the details of the November job numbers “weren’t as bad as the headline, but certainly nothing to smile about.”

For example, there was a decline of 53,000 part-time workers last month but 35,000 more people finding full-time work.

As well, there were 11,000 more people working in the private sector last month, but that wasn’t enough to make up for the 2,200 decline in public-sector workers and 27,500 fewer people considering themselves self-employed.

CIBC World Markets chief economist Avery Shenfeld also said there were some bright spots in the details of the report, though it was still indicative of a tough job market.

“Overall, while there was at least some encouraging news in the lean back towards full-time work, the overall picture is one of a continued softening in Canada’s jobs market, suggesting a slowing in economic growth after a brisk third quarter,” Shenfeld said.

This report comes after data earlier this week showed Canada’s economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualized pace of 3.5% in the three months ended in September.

There were job losses in industries such as retail and wholesale trade in November, as well as support services for business and building management. Gains were seen in areas such as personal services, construction, natural resources and utilities.

Looking more broadly, there were 43,900 fewer people in service sectors in November, with 25,200 more in goods-producing sectors.

By province, Statistics Canada highlighted employment declines of 30,500 in Quebec and 4,200 in Saskatchewan, though Nova Scotia had a relatively strong gain of 4,400

The Canadian economy was not as bad as first feared in the third quarter. In fact, it was much better than almost anyone had hoped.

Fuelled by record monthly output from the oil-and-gas and mining sectors and overall export strength as temporary headwinds drifted away, third-quarter economic growth shot past expectations.

Statistics Canada said Wednesday that gross domestic product for the period rose by an annualized 3.5%, beating economists’ more moderate average prediction of 3.0% growth and the Bank of Canada’s forecast of 2.0%. In September alone, the economy grew 0.2% from August, falling just short of a 0.3% increase economists predicted.

The growth during the quarter comes as a welcome change after a revised 0.5% contraction in the second quarter.

Net exports staged a decided recovery as external pressures like the fallout from the Japanese natural disasters in March were no longer a factor.

But the devil is in the details as flagging domestic demand and weak business investment lurked beneath the report’s strong headline growth. A close look at the data has economists forecasting only modest growth — in the range of about 2% — in the coming quarters and predicting the Bank of Canada will remain on hold with interest rate hikes.

Here’s what stood out from Wednesday’s report:

EXPORTS

The driving force behind the uptick in GDP for the quarter, exports grew at an annualized rate of 14.4%, up from a pullback of 6.4% in the previous quarter.

Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, said that factors that weighed on Canadian exports in the second quarter — including the Japanese supply-chain disruptions as well as wildfires in Northern Alberta that led to shutdowns of oil sand production facilities — were resolved in Q3 and contributed to the increase.

But, he cautioned, “The boost to third-quarter growth provided by the reversal of these factors is not expected to continue to the same extent into the fourth quarter.”

As the global economy stalls and prospects for a quick turnaround look increasingly grim, economists predict it will could spoil the Canadian export party.

HOUSING

Canada’s unstoppable real estate market was another bright spot during the quarter. Residential construction shot up 10.9% annualized, following on comparatively modest increases of 1.6% in Q2 and 6.7% in Q1.

“After quarters of booming housing starts data, the residential construction bonanza finally translated into the GDP numbers,” said Emanuella Enenajor, economist at CIBC Economics.

The expansion in this sector came from all three major components including fees and transfer costs related to resale transactions, new housing construction and renovation activity.

“Continued strength in new-home sales has elicited more and more new housing construction, particularly in the high-rise condo market,” said David Madani, Canada economist for Capital Economics.

He noted that a reported increase in housing starts bodes well for further strong growth in this category next quarter.

CONSUMER SPENDING

Canadians slowed their spending on goods and services during the quarter, raising red flags for economists concerned about sluggish domestic demand.

Personal expenditures grew at an annualized rate of 1.2%, down from an expansion of 2.1% in the previous quarter.

“A slowing pace of income growth owing to tepid hiring and weaker wage dynamics will likely continue to put downward pressure on consumption activity,” Ms. Enenajor said.

BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Business investment actually contracted during the quarter with a decrease of 3.6% annualized, down from last quarter’s 14.6% increase.

“Weak business investment is a worry, as it has been an important source of growth since early 2010 and replaced personal spending as the main source of domestic growth,” said Charles St. Arnaud, an analyst with Nomura Global Economics.

He noted that this, coupled with the fact that personal spending is likely to remain weak, “Could mean that domestic demand stays weak over the next few quarters, as global uncertainty remains high.”

FINAL DOMESTIC DEMAND

The combined slowdown in consumer spending and business investment was a drag on final domestic demand, which rose only 0.9% in the third quarter, down from a 3.1% gain in Q2. The other component, government expenditures, was flat in the quarter as government stimulus spending continues to slow to a trickle.

“Note that the pace of final domestic demand has been consistently slowing since 2010, weakening from around 6% to its current sub-1% pace,” Ms. Enenajor said.