Insights

April 5, 2026 GOOD TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY: The U.S. had only four days of trading as the markets closed to observe Good Friday heading into the Easter weekend. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 closed out the month of March with its biggest daily increase all year, rising nearly 3%. It came after the President Trump indicated a more imminent off-ramp to the Iran war. Investors pounced on the news. The rally lasted into Wednesday, and Thursday was mixed, leading to

March 29, 2026 OIL UP AGAIN: The price of oil continues to bounce around in a general upward direction. Last week, the Brent Crude oil price ended at $111, and it settled on Friday at $113, not much higher, but a lot of drama on the way there, causing a lot of fear. FIVE WEEKS OF DECREASES: U.S. stocks continue to take a hit, suffering its fifth week of declines since the Iran war began. The NASDAQ Composite index is down 9.73% year-to-date. The exchange-traded fund that

March 22, 2026 THE WAR: Obviously, economic and market news is dominated by the Iranian war. How and when will it end, and how bad will the oil infrastructure in that part of the world be damaged? When big questions like this have no easy answer, fear leads trading. It is difficult to determine how the war will end. The U.S. seems to want to see a popular revolt that transitions the government to something new and stable and not tryanical and globally disruptive. A mili

March 15, 2026 "Beware the Ides of March."  Soothsayer, Julius Caesar , William Shakespeare OIL PRICES RISE: The U.S. is now the world's largest oil producer. And yet, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy. About 80% of the oil moving through that Strait ends up in Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Thus, despite the U.S.'s status, a disruption in this one narrow waterway affects global oil prices of oil immediatel

March 1, 2026 U.S. EMPLOYMENT DECREASES BY 92,000: The U.S. economy shed 92,000 jobs in February. Two factors exacerbated February. One was a severe winter storm, and the other was a nurses' strike that accounted for about 28,000 of the negative jobs numbers. The private sector shed 86,000 jobs. The unemployment rate increased to 4.4% (from 4.3%). In January, the U.S. added 126,000 jobs. Average hourly earnings went up by a healthy 0.4% and are up by 3.8% over the past

Estate planning is often viewed as a legal task. Documents are drafted, beneficiaries are listed, and powers of attorney are signed. Once completed, the file is placed in a drawer and assumed to be finished. It can feel like a box has been checked and a responsibility has been fulfilled.

Generosity often begins simply. It may start with a faithful percentage set aside, a check written to a church, or support for a mission that resonates deeply. These acts reflect obedience and gratitude, formed in seasons when financial life feels straightforward and giving is woven naturally into daily rhythms.

Liquidity events are often celebrated after they occur. A business is sold, a company goes public, equity compensation vests, or a major asset is transferred. Headlines tend to focus on valuation and proceeds. What receives far less attention is the planning that happens beforehand.

For many investors, faith-based investing begins with screening mutual funds. Certain industries are excluded. Certain companies are avoided. It is a meaningful starting point. As portfolios grow and financial goals become more layered, screening alone may not fully reflect one’s convictions or opportunities. At Stonecrop, we believe that faith-based investing is not just about avoiding what conflicts with your values. It may also involve thoughtfully pursuing what alig