Faith Through the Fire

In the face of rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, the market has once again shown its remarkable capacity for resilience. S&P 500 companies revealed strong first-quarter results, with technology leading the charge. NVIDIA stood out, growing its data-center business by 73% as demand for AI infrastructure remained robust despite trade restrictions with China. Tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon reaffirmed their commitment to innovation, collectively pledging over $330 billion in capital investment for the year.

Weekly Performance

Data Source: Factset®        Performance Period:      5/26/2025  to 5/30/2025

Amid the earnings surprises, investors also navigated a fresh wave of tariff developments. Although the administration delayed steep tariffs on European allies until July, talks with China stalled, and new restrictions on China’s tech sector were announced. Legal battles over existing tariffs added to the complexity, with court rulings reinstating key trade measures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Yet despite this smoke, the outlook remains generally clear: nine of the eleven S&P sectors are still expected to grow earnings in 2025.

Perhaps most encouraging, consumer confidence surged in May, jumping over 12 points, driven by renewed optimism that trade tensions may ease. After five months of declining sentiment, this rebound signals a reprieve.
As confidence begins to return, both in the economy and in the systems we rely on, the spotlight turns to those securing our future digitally and otherwise. CrowdStrike Holdings stands as a sentinel on the walls defending against darkness with vision, innovation, and purpose. The company’s cloud-delivered Falcon platform shields businesses around the world through a powerful suite of cybersecurity services: from endpoint and identity protection to AI-driven automation and generative AI workload security. With every line of code, CrowdStrike wages a battle not just for data but for dignity, truth, and trust. Recently, a pivotal alliance with Microsoft marked a new chapter in that calling. Together, they are unifying the fragmented world of threat actor identification, forging clarity out of chaos and empowering defenders to stand firm against ever-evolving adversaries.

In moments like these, we remember that trials by fire refine those in the flames:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.” — James 1:12

Like a forge shaping steel, adversity strengthens the faithful. As we press forward, we hold fast to the truth that God rewards perseverance—and that even amid the fires of uncertainty, His purpose endures.

Sources: Yahoo Finance, Reuters.com, and JP Morgan Market Insights

 Sources: Yahoo Finance, Reuters.com, and JP Morgan Market Insights. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Faithward Advisors LLC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. Dream More, Plan More, Do More is a registered trademark of Faithward Advisors, LLC, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Any opinions expressed in this forum are not the opinion or view of Faithward Advisors or American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS). They have not been reviewed by either firm for completeness or accuracy. These opinions are subject to change at any time without notice. Any comments or postings are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Investments are not guaranteed, involve risk and may result in a loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments are not suitable for all types of investors.