Market Overview - The U.S. stock markets ended the week mostly lower, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 slipping by 1.49% and 0.28% respectively due to a sharp selloff in tech stocks [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.51% as investors rotated toward value and traditional sectors [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its key overnight borrowing rate by a quarter-percentage-point, now in the range of 3.5% to 3.75% [2] - This decision was influenced by signs of gradually cooling inflation, aimed at supporting the labor market and stimulating economic growth [2] - The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits surged to a 4.5-year high of 236,000, indicating a sharp deterioration in the jobs market [2] Stock Performance and Recommendations - Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) shares gained 43.9% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on October 13, outperforming the S&P 500's 4.4% increase [3][6] - The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (NTB) returned 22.7% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) on October 7, compared to the S&P 500's 1.5% increase [4] - Western Digital Corporation (WDC) shares advanced 52.8% since its upgrade to Outperform on October 13, significantly beating the S&P 500's 4.4% increase [7] Portfolio Performance - A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank 1 stocks returned +14.3% in 2025, slightly underperforming the S&P 500 index's +14.9% [11] - The Zacks Model Portfolio has outperformed the S&P index by more than 12 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.9% compared to +11.5% for the S&P 500 index [14] Sector-Specific Stocks - Cencora, Inc. (COR) and Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) returned 18.7% and 18.6% respectively over the past 12 weeks [15] - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) returned 19.3% over the past 12 weeks, benefiting from investor demand for quality dividend stocks [19]

Market Overview - The three major U.S. indexes (Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average) ended the past trading week positively, with gains of 3.52%, 2.86%, and 3.41% respectively [1] - Despite a gloomy economic outlook due to shifts in U.S. foreign tariff policy, weak economic data, and rising geopolitical tensions, investors are optimistic about strong earnings results and potential reductions in import duties by the Trump administration [1] Economic Indicators - The U.S. GDP contracted for the first time in three years, growing at an annualized rate of 0.3% in Q1 2025, down from 2.4% in the previous quarter [2] - Consumer sentiment index dropped to 52.2 in April from 57.0 in March, marking the lowest level since July 2022 [2] - The consumer confidence index fell to 86 in April from 92.9 in March [2] - The Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index remained flat in March, while personal consumption and personal income grew by 0.7% and 0.5% respectively, exceeding expectations [2] Manufacturing and Labor Market - The manufacturing PMI for April contracted to 48.7% from 49% in March, indicating contraction in manufacturing activities [3] - Nonfarm payrolls increased by 177,000 in April, exceeding analyst expectations, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2% [3] Stock Performance and Recommendations - ADMA Biologics, Inc. shares gained 48.6% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on March 4, outperforming the S&P 500's 3% decrease [4] - Intrepid Potash, Inc. shares returned 28.9% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 on March 6, also outperforming the S&P 500 [5] - The Zacks Model Portfolio of Rank 1 stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 13 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.9% [7] Focus List and Portfolios - Constellation Brands, Inc. gained 8.2% over the past 12 weeks, while Cheniere Energy, Inc. returned 2.3% during the same period [11] - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned -2.96% in Q1 2025, compared to -4.30% for the S&P 500 index [12] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) returned +3.20% in Q1 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 index's -4.30% decline [16] Dividend and Defensive Stocks - Coca-Cola Company returned 13.5% over the past 12 weeks, while Quest Diagnostics Incorporated increased by 7.9% [18] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned +5.74% in Q1 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 index's -2.41% pullback [19] Top 10 Stocks Performance - Primo Brands Corporation increased by 7.4% year-to-date, compared to the S&P 500 index's 3.3% decrease [22] - The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 index's +25.04% return [22][23]

Economic Overview - The three major U.S. indexes, S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite, experienced declines of 1.36%, 0.90%, and 0.84% respectively last week, influenced by policy shifts and trade tariffs under the Trump administration [1] - Personal consumption expenditure (PCE) rose by 0.3% in January, exceeding the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target, with an annual rate of 2.5% [2] - Personal income increased by 0.9%, while personal spending unexpectedly declined by 0.2% in January, indicating consumer concerns about future economic conditions [2] - The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in February, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.1% from 4% the previous month, highlighting underlying economic weaknesses [3] Stock Performance - NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NB) shares increased by 38.5% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on January 14, outperforming the S&P 500's 1% decrease [4] - TXO Partners, L.P. (TXO) saw a return of 9.8% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) on January 14 [5] - The Zacks Model Portfolio, consisting of Zacks Rank 1 stocks, has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 13 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.9% compared to +11.3% for the S&P 500 [7] Focus List and Portfolios - Sea Limited (SE) gained 16.7% and Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) returned 15.4% over the past 12 weeks, both part of the Zacks Focus List, while the S&P 500 decreased by 5.3% during the same period [11] - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024, compared to +25.04% for the S&P 500 [12] - The Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) includes Amgen Inc. (AZO) and Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE), which returned 19.2% and 9.2% respectively over the past 12 weeks [14] Dividend Portfolio Performance - The Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) includes Coca-Cola Company (KO) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), which returned 14.2% and 11.6% respectively over the past 12 weeks [17] - The ECDP returned +6.95% in 2024, compared to +24.89% for the S&P 500 [18]