The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Canadian investors did not get the memo about how the global economy is suffering. A Bloomberg dispatch to The Globe says that there are signs of optimism abound across every market in Canada, even with annual growth barely topping 1 per cent. Stock valuations in the S&P/TSX composite index have surged to the highest in 14 years; mergers reached a record in the third quarter, and investors are soaking up bonds sold by the provinces and companies. Mergers and acquisitions involving Canadian firms surged to a record $113.3-billion in the third quarter as domestic companies continued to seek growth abroad, driving outbound deals to $78-billion. Unlike in previous years where those deals were led by the country's pension funds or money managers, this year's charge has been led by companies seeking growth. Enbridge is splashing out $28-billion (U.S.) for Houston-based Spectra Energy, while Alimentation Couche-Tard is paying $3.7-billion (U.S.) for San Antonio's CST Brands. Canadian companies fortified their balance sheets with $26-billion of bond sales in the third quarter, as record-low borrowing costs and strong investor demand made for a busy summer.