The S&P 500 moved sideways last week, holding steady after a strong 10% rally over nine days—a positive sign of strength and stability. The index remains above its 50-day moving average, though it’s still facing some resistance at the 200-day mark. Meanwhile, the NASDAQ 100 has tried to break through its 200-day moving average three times in the past six sessions, and maybe the fourth time will do the trick.

Markets digest the recent tariff news, and investor sentiment seems more optimistic. While uncertainty has lingered, we’re beginning to see more clarity, and new leadership is starting to emerge. The once-dominant “Magnificent Seven” stocks face challenges, but the AI space is heating up again following DeepSeek’s surprise announcement on January 27.

We’re seeing strength in AI-related areas like construction, software, and electronics, fueled by institutional buying, as shown by price gains on higher-than-average volume. The Fed kept interest rates steady last week, and the market responded calmly—another encouraging sign. Trade deals and rate cuts are coming, and that could be the catalyst to break through overhead ceilings of resistance.

Technology remains the leader in expected earnings growth within the S&P 500, projected to rise 18.1% over the next year, compared to 12.8% for the overall index. About 72% of companies have reported this quarter, showing a 12.8% year-over-year increase in earnings. It’s the second straight quarter of double-digit growth and the seventh with annual gains. Plus, 76% have beaten earnings estimates, and 62% have topped revenue expectations—above the norm. Sectors like tech, health care, and consumer discretionary stand out. BTW, US companies are buying back stock at a record pace!

On the macro side, the US dollar and Treasury bonds continue to trend lower, supporting gold near record highs. Bitcoin is hovering around $100,000, showing strong speculative interest, often a sign of a healthy market risk appetite.

I’m about 66% invested and plan to increase my exposure as momentum builds.

Wishing you lots of grace and peace!

Watch List: AER, APH, BAP, CASH, CRS, CTAS, CVLT, FCFS, FICO, GEV, GWRE, LOAR, NFG, NWG, OSIS, PEN, PWR, TW, VIRT, WAY, WELL.

Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34

If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates or invest, please contact me. 

Dexter Lyons, Portfolio Manager
337-983-0676, ChristianMoneyBlog.net
100% BRI, Honoring God with Our Investments!
Actively Managing Risk Since 1990!    

The S&P 500 has now posted gains for nine consecutive days, the longest streak in over two decades—breaking through its declining 50-day moving average and approaching key resistance at the 200-day. This impressive momentum, especially following Friday’s GDP report, signals that the worst may be behind us and that the market is gearing up for a renewed push higher.

During the recent uncertainty around global tariffs, investors sought refuge in gold. But that narrative is shifting. Capital appears to be rotating out of defensive assets like gold and back into high-growth equities. I’ve exited my gold position and currently have around 65% of my portfolio allocated to stocks with strong earnings and sales acceleration. My screens are lighting up green.

Many of the names on my watchlist are breaking out of well-formed bases with powerful technical setups and outstanding fundamentals. This is the most bullish setup I’ve seen since before the January 27th Deep Seek black swan event that temporarily disrupted the AI sector. Deep Seek has since proven to be a pivotal development, allowing AI firms to scale faster and more efficiently. Analysts have recalibrated their valuation models accordingly, and investor confidence in AI is returning.

The AI boom is back, and the sector’s leading companies are again showing strength. We don’t need a crystal ball to predict the future—we need to observe the present. Price and volume action are often the earliest indicators of future earnings strength. And right now, the outlook is promising.

Wishing you and your loved ones lots of grace and peace!

Watch List: AER, APH, BAP, CALM, CASH, CTAS, CVLT, FCFS, FICO, GEV, GWRE, HDB, IBN, LOAR, NFG, NWG, OSIS, PEN, SFM, TW, VIRT, VRNA, WAY.

With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Overbought Resistance!

Last Tuesday, the S&P 500 surged 2.6%, triggering a Follow-Through Day (FTD). FTD occurs when an index rises more than 1% on heavier volume than the prior session, at least four days after a market bottom. While not every FTD results in a new bull market, historical research by IBD founder William (Bill) O’Neil shows that an FTD has preceded every bull market. Bill advises investors to find something to buy that meets his criteria after an FTD to help them mentally shift from defensive to offensive. His books and the CANSLIM system—through which he built his self-made fortune—have shaped my investing approach. It typically takes 4 to 5 years to adapt CANSLIM to one’s personality, and I’m well positioned to reap the benefits.

About 25% of my portfolio is allocated to a gold ETF, and around 8% is invested in select stocks. I’m cautiously looking to seeing whether this FTD holds or if the market experiences a third leg down. The market has rallied for four consecutive days, running into overhead resistance, leaving it overbought and ripe for back-and-fill action. We’re still trading below key defensive levels, the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, but the market’s tone suggests it wants to move higher.

This week brings a wave of earnings reports from market leaders, which could set the tone for the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the dollar is trending lower, signaling that a rate cut could be on the table at the Fed’s June meeting. Since gold is priced in dollars, a weaker dollar should support higher gold prices. Retail giants like Walmart and Costco show strong chart patterns, suggesting a bullish sign of consumer strength. Oil prices continue to drift lower (a result of an additional 3 million barrels per day hitting the market), which makes it more challenging for bad actors to fund their agendas and help keep inflation contained, as oil impacts the cost of almost all goods. Bonds are chopping sideways without a clear trend for now, but that could change as the Treasury works to refinance trillions in existing debt. Grace & Peace to you and your loved ones!

Watch List: APH, PLTR, IDR, SEZL, SFM, LRN, PEN, AXON, ATGE, SE, FTNT, CALM, HWM, EAT, WGS, MRX, ADMA, NWG, ZS, CPRT, OSIS, UTI, BROS, KINS, AVGO, PHYS.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding. Proverbs 3:13

If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates or invest with me, please Email or call me. 

Dexter Lyons, Portfolio Manager
337-983-0676, ChristianMoneyBlog.net
100% BRI, Honoring God with Our Investments!
Actively Managing Risk Since 1990!    

Check out my YouTube interview—for a quick take on where things may be headed.

Gold is trading near an all-time high of $3,327/oz, up around 26% year-to-date. I hold a 25% position (my max) in an ETF that holds physical gold, with the remaining 75% in a government-backed money market fund.

What’s fueling gold’s rise? Central banks—especially China—may be preparing for a gold-backed currency, and gold remains a classic hedge against inflation. In addition, high tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the U.S. may be prompting China to sell U.S. Treasuries and dollars.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 is down ~10%, and the dollar has weakened ~8% YTD. In contrast, the Euro, Yen, and Swiss Franc are each up over 10%. We could be witnessing a shift from a strong dollar policy to a weak dollar policy. That would make U.S. exports more competitive and could ease the pressure of financing our $37 trillion national debt. Higher Treasury yields make debt refinancing more expensive—so a lower dollar and lower rates may be the new playbook.

Currently, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ are trading below their 50- and 200-day moving averages, signaling increased risk. In this environment, preserving cash might be smarter than chasing returns. With trade tensions escalating and uncertain earnings guidance, we could be stuck in a high-risk, low-reward market until a clear catalyst emerges.

Bitcoin is down ~9% YTD, showing that digital gold hasn’t taken the throne from physical gold—yet. While gold is extended, I expect it to move higher.

I’m staying patient and keeping my stock watchlist fresh. I’m waiting for a Follow Through Day (FTD)—a key technical signal marked by a 1%+ index gain on higher volume, at least four days after a market bottom attempt. I’ll look for fundamentally sound stocks breaking out on strong technical volume when that happens.

I don’t expect the next bull market to be led by the “Magnificent 7” from the last one. Instead, I’m eyeing leadership for insurance, international banking, and precious metals stocks.

The market may be setting up for a great buying opportunity—but for now, gold could remain the winner. Until conditions improve, sometimes the best offense is not losing.

Most importantly, Jesus died for all sins. If we believe, we receive His grace.

Grace & Peace to you and your loved ones this Easter!

Watch List: ADMA, AEM, ATGE, AXON, DRS, EGO, ESLT, IBN, IDR, LRN, MRX, NWG, PEN, PLTR, PRMB, RBA, SFM, SNEX, STN, VIRT & PHYS.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates or invest with me, please Email or call me. 

Dexter Lyons, Portfolio Manager
337-983-0676, ChristianMoneyBlog.net
100% BRI, Honoring God with Our Investments!
Actively Managing Risk Since 1990!    

Tariff-Driven Inflation!

Check out my latest YouTube interview for a quick take on where things are headed.

Gold is trading near an all-time high of $3,250/oz as central banks continue to build reserves and inflation shows no signs of fading. I’ve added a 15% position in a physical gold ETF, anticipating further upside in the precious metals space.

Since April 4, 2025, we’ve seen some dramatic moves:

• 20-year Treasury Bonds have dropped 6.4%
• The U.S. dollar is down 2.9%
• The Swiss Franc is up 8.4%
• The Euro has gained 5.2%

These are significant moves, especially for currencies typically known for their stability. This may indicate that China is selling U.S. debt in response to the 145% Trump tariffs. If that’s the case, big money is shifting away from America, seeking new trade partners for their goods.

If these tariffs remain in place, prices in the U.S. could continue to rise, contributing to tariff-driven inflation. That means Trump may need to find ways to stimulate economic growth to offset rising costs.

The Federal Reserve is in a tough spot. If they lower rates or increase the money supply, it could worsen inflation. Between September 16, 2024, and January 13, 2025—just 81 market days—the Fed cut the Fed Funds Rate by 100bps (18.6%), but the 10-year Treasury yield rose 110bps (32%). That’s a clear message from the bond market: don’t fight inflation with rate cuts.

The bond market is massive, and it’s signaling concerns. With $9 trillion of the $37 trillion U.S. national debt due for refinancing this year, bond investors are demanding higher yields. Currently, interest payments on our debt are around $3 billion/day, but tariff revenue only brings in about $2 billion—a big gap to close. Maybe Trump will start looking at creative options like privatizing national parks to raise cash.

On the bright side, key tech items—smartphones, servers, chips, solar panels, and TVs—were exempted from the 145% Chinese tariffs. That could offer some relief for markets in the short term.

I’m watching for a Follow-Through Day (FTD), a 1% index gain on higher volume, at least four days after a rally attempt. While not a green light to go all in, it’s a strong signal that institutional investors may be returning to growth stocks. Once we get that, I’ll turn to my watch list (below) for potential buys.

Despite all the uncertainty, we’re on the verge of a great opportunity. When the time is right, I’ll be ready.      Grace & Peace to You and Your Loved Ones!

Watch List: ADMA, BOW, BRBR, EAT, EHC, GEV, IBN, LOAR, LRN, PAAS, PLMR, PLTR, ROL, RYAN, SFM, SKWD, TGTX, TKO, WGS.

Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary; they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates or invest with me, please Email or call me. 

Dexter Lyons, Portfolio Manager
337-983-0676, ChristianMoneyBlog.net
100% BRI, Honoring God with Our Investments!
Actively Managing Risk Since 1990!