|
 J. 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
for the week of - 3/14/2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
Here's your weekly Tip - Is your credit score keeping you from getting the best interest rates or getting credit at all? Although there isn't a quick fix to credit problems, by understanding how your credit score is determined you can take steps towards improving your score. You won't be able to turn a 500 FICO score into a 700 overnight. However, once you begin to practice smart credit habits, your score can begin to climb.
Before you can begin to make any improvements, you really need to know how your score is determined. Your FICO score takes into account many factors, but some are far more important than others.
What Makes Up Your Credit Score:
- Payment History - 35% (is everything being paid on time)
- Total Amounts Owed - 30% (meaning the less of your available credit being used, the better)
- Length of Credit History - 15%
- New Credit - 10%
- Type of Credit in Use - 10%
As you can see, making payments on time and keeping the total amount of debt down accounts for 65% of your score. Therefore I suggest you start your efforts by focusing on the top two.
For the rest of this month, I'll share some tips to help improve your credit score. |
|
|
|
|
Market Commentary |
 The strongest magnitude earthquake to rock Japan in at least 300 years shook global financial markets last Friday (3/11/11). The 8.9 quake, which hit just 14 minutes before the Japanese stock market closed trading for the week, was the 5th largest earthquake in the world since the year 1900. The quake's epicenter was 80 miles off the eastern coast of Japan and created tsunami waves that traveled east across the Pacific Ocean at speeds of 500 mph. More than a quarter of all the countries in the world (53 in total) issued tsunami alerts to its citizens in coastal cities. Japan's previous largest earthquake was measured at 8.3 (on the Richter scale), occurred in 1923 (i.e., 88 years ago) and killed 142,800 people (source: BTN Research). The ongoing bull market for the S&P 500 reached 2-years in length last Wednesday (3/09/11). Since bottoming in early March 2009, the stock index has gained +95% over the 2-year period, its best 24-month result coming off any bear market low since 1949 (source: BTN Research). Congress couldn't agree on fiscal year 2011 spending levels by its original 3/04/11 deadline, forcing them to extend the date to 3/18/11 (i.e., this upcoming Friday). Now that latter date may be stretched out by another 3 weeks to 4/08/11. Democrats and Republicans remain approximately $50 billion apart (equal to 1.4% of a $3.7 trillion annual budget) in how much each side is willing to cut from the government's spending plans for the current fiscal year (source: Congress). |
|
Notable Numbers | |
1. EIGHT YEARS - The Iraq war began in the early hours of 3/20/03. The S&P 500 closed that day at 876. The stock index closed last Friday (3/11/11) at 1304. 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. HOME VALUES - The average home price in the USA declined by 11.5% (in aggregate) over the last 5 calendar years (2006-10). Homes in North Dakota appreciated +18.5% over the period, while homes in Nevada declined by 52.8% (source: Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight).
3. OIL OUTPUT- The US oil industry produced 7.51 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2010, its highest annual domestic production level since 2002. Domestic production of crude oil peaked at 11.30 million barrels a day in 1970. Domestic production of crude oil was 7.58 million barrels a day in 1955 (source: Energy Information Administration).
4. GO FOR A RIDE - The national average price of unleaded gasoline reached $3.56 a gallon Sunday (3/13/11), an increase of 49 cents a gallon since the beginning of the year. A year ago (3/14/10), gasoline was $2.79 a gallon (source: AAA).
5. SECOND YEAR - In the 1-year following its 3/09/09 bear market closing low of 677, the S&P 500 gained +68.6% (i.e., change of the raw index not counting the impact of reinvested dividends) through 3/09/10, its best 1-year performance after a bear market low in the last 60 years. In the 2nd year following its 3/09/09 bear market closing low, the S&P 500 gained an additional +15.7% through 3/09/11. 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). |
|
|
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.
NFP Securities, Inc. does not provide legal or tax advice.
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. |
|
|
