ASB has releasedx its latest investor confidence survey, which shows a decline in sentiment over recent months.

Investor confidence is now +23%. A reading of 0 would indicate as many were confident as were not.

It is down from +25% last quarter.

Senior wealth economist Chris Tennent-Brown said it could reflect a degree of caution ahead of the election.

"It’s understandable to see some caution in the market as people ponder policies that will impact them, such as changes in the retirement age and tax rates, as well as the various policies that could impact the housing market,” he said.

Another cause for caution was the valuations in some asset markets, he said.

“We all know how expensive houses have become over recent years, and now we are seeing the market flatten in many areas, including Auckland."

“Developments in share markets may be viewed in the same light by investors. Many share markets, including  New Zealand’s, have hit record highs in recent months and perhaps investors are thinking that recent gains can’t continue unless we start to see stronger earnings growth.”

Investors expected to get the best returns out of their rental properties and own homes in the quarter. Term deposits were seen as the bank product providing the best returns.

Tennent-Brown said that showed a preference for safer investments.

He said advisers needed to talk to clients about why they were experiencing such low returns in income assets and high returns in growth assets.

“Talking about the environment we are in and making sure clients understand it, making sure they are in the right investment. Make sure you have the right balance is really important.”

He said it would be hard for advisers to encourage clients out of term deposits if they were there for safety. “It reflects their risk tolerance. But if you are trying to live off it or grow your money it was certainly a lot easier prior to the GFC."