Recently Released Data From John Hancock Quarterly Index Shows Investor Confidence Declined Steeply

 Soundbite and Script

October 12, 2011

ANNOUNCER: 

ACCORDING TO THE JOHN HANCOCK INVESTOR SENTIMENT INDEX, A QUARTERLY MEASURE OF INVESTORS’ VIEWS ON A RANGE OF INVESTMENT CHOICES, LIFE GOALS AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, THERE’S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN CONFIDENCE SINCE THE SECOND QUARTER. HOWEVER, BILL CHENEY, CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR JOHN JANCOCK SAYS THAT, DESPITE THE TURMOIL, INVESTORS APPEAR TO BE STICKING TO THEIR PRINCIPLES. MOST HAVE NOT MADE CHANGES TO THEIR INVESTMENT PROGRAMS EVEN IN THE FACE OF INCREASING WORRIES. 

BILL CHENEY:

“The survey indicates that investors’ concerns have grown with respect to the national debt, the strength of the dollar, and the level of unemployment. On the other hand, other concerns have lessened, such as worries about oil and gas prices, unrest in the Middle East and even inflation. It is interesting to note, that despite these concerns, our survey indicates that investors still understand the importance of investing and planning for retirement.”

ANNOUNCER: 

CHENEY SAYS A STRONG MAJORITY OF INVESTORS SURVEYED STILL BELIEVE THAT NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO 401(K) PLANS, OR TO IRAs. FOR MORE ON THE INVESTMENT INDEX, VISIT JOHN HANCOCK DOT COM.  I’M LEE SHEPHARD.