JP Bio PicJ. PINK ASSOCIATES, Inc.,

FINANCIAL ADVISORS
 
 
555 Taxter Rd. Suite 190                                      Ph- (914)524-7770
Elmsford, NY  10523                                          Fax- (914)524-7771
 
 
500 Summit Lake Dr. Suite 120
Valhalla, NY  10595
Weekly Market Review
In This Issue
Market Commentary
Notable Numbers
Client Spotlight
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Greetings!
JP Bio PicWe're getting positive feedback on our new format; it seems the Client Spotlight is proving to be a welcomed feature.
 
We already have clients lined up for the next few months but always need more. As I've said, if you're interested in being spotlighted, please contact our office and we'll happily add you to the list. As of right now each client in the spotlight will be featured for an entire month. If the list of clients wanting to be featured becomes too backed up, we may switch to an every two week rotation.

Market Commentary

 
JP Bio Pic
The S&P 500 went 5-for-5 last week, gaining ground every day as the month of March came in with a roar.  The stock index is up +2.5% YTD (total return), its first time back into positive territory since 1/21/10.  The biggest boost for stocks came when the nation's monthly employment report showed "only" 36,000 jobs losses last month.  However it will take a weekly increase of 29,000 new workers for the next 5 years to get our nation's employment ranks back to its pre-recession levels from December 2007 (source: BTN Research, Department of Labor).  
 
Tomorrow is the 1-year anniversary of the 2009 bear market low for the S&P 500.  On 3/09/09, the S&P 500 stock index closed at 677.  Through last Friday's close (3/05/10) when the S&P 500 closed at 1139, the index had gained +68.3% (change of the raw index not counting the impact of reinvested dividends).  In the 8 previous bear markets since 1960, the S&P 500 has gained an average of +36.5% over the 1-year period following a bear market closing low (source: BTN Research).     
 
Washington politicians will continue their game of "High Stakes Poker" with health care reform during the upcoming week.  Democrats remain convinced that the public's mood is calling for a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.  Republicans believe the only acceptable course of action would be to start over, erasing whatever work has been done in Washington over the past year (source: BTN Research).

Notable Numbers

1.     AFTER - The S&P 500 lost 0.3% (total return) during the decade of the 1930s, its 2nd worst decade ever behind the 10-years ending 12/31/09.  The S&P 500 gained +140% during the subsequent decade of the 1940s, an average return of +9.2% per year.  The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market (source: BTN Research).   
 
2.     WHAT ALAN WATCHES - The yield on the 10-year Treasury note closed at 3.62% at the end of February 2010, down 0.22% from its 3.84% level on 12/31/09.  Because of the close connection between the yield on the 10-year Treasury note and mortgage interest rates, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said in a speech on 2/23/10 that the 10-year Treasury yield is the "one statistic that I watch every morning and every afternoon" (source: Credit Union National Association conference).   
 
3.     A REAL PROBLEM - The number of insured banks on the government's "problem list" reached 702 as of 12/31/09, almost 3 times the 252 banks on the list as of 12/31/08, but equal to just half of the more than 1,400 problem banks from 12/31/91 (source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).    
 
4.     DEJA VU - An article in Fortune magazine written by reporter Shawn Tully began with the statement: "Growing deficits.  Out-of-control federal spending.  Rising debt.  With the budget suddenly an election issue, it's time for some straight talk."  The date of the article was 3/08/04 or 6 years ago today (source: Fortune).

Client  Spotlight - Butch Gilbert, Effective Electric

 
Butch GilbertOur first client in the "Spotlight" is Butch Gilbert.
 
Butch and his wife, Danielle live in Cortlandt Manor, NY with their two children. Butch owns Effective Electric LLC. Effective Electric is a full service electrical company. 
 
Q. What type of customers do you serve?
A. We are able to handle all phases of residential and light commercial electrical work.
 
Q. Is any job too small, or for that matter, too big?
A. No, we are full service electrical contractor. We will provide services from replacing a broken light fixture or switch, to installing new electrical wiring for a renovation or addition.
 
Q. What geographical area do you serve?
A. All of Westchester and Putnam counties. We also serve the neighboring sections in CT.
 
Q. Do you have a website?
A. Yes, www.EffectiveElectric.net 

Q. How can people contact you if they need you?
A. They can call me at (914) 737-2651 or they can email me at EffectiveElec@aol.com 

Q. How do you typically get new Customers?
A. The majority of our new business comes in as referrals from our existing customers.
 
Q. What sets you apart from your competition?
A. We work directly with the customer and keep them informed/ involved from the estimate to
    completion, while always keeping their budget in mind.
 
Q. Are you licensed?
A. We are fully licensed and insured in Westchester and Putnam counties as well as in CT.
 
Q. Do you have a slogan?
A. "We make sure you're never in the dark."
 
Q. If a customer needs work that requires a permit; can you help in getting that permit?
A. Yes, an electrician is required to obtain the proper permits for any job they do where a permit    is necessary. We often have to show that our insurances and licenses are current and in good         standing in order to obtain that permit.
 
Q. Do you charge for job estimates? If so, what is that fee?
A. No.
 
Q. Is there a way to be sure an electrician is licensed and insured??
A. Yes, you can check them out at (www.westchestergov.com) then go to consumer protection, then to the specific contractor.  You should ALWAYS be sure that the electrician you hire is licensed and insured.
 
As always, if there's anything we can help you with, please feel free to call the office anytime.
 
I hope you have a great week.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
John

John W. Pink, Sr.
J. Pink Associates, Inc.,
Financial Advisors
 
 
At J. Pink Associates, we do comprehansive financial planning and wealth management for families and small businesses by getting to know the unique details of your financial
world and thoughtfully crafting a strategy to identify and support your goals.
 
 
This material represents as assessment of the market and economic environment as a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future events, or a guaranteew of future results.  Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.  Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied.  Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources.  It is not guaranteed by NFP Securities, Inc. as to accuracy, does notpurport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions.  It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor.  The indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be directly invested into.  Part performance does not guarantee future results.  The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 600 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market.
 
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Securities, INc. a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC and a Federally Registerd INvestment Advisor.
 
 NFP Securities, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice NFP Securities, Inc. is not affiliated with J. Pink Associates, Inc., Financial Advisors.