22 Sep 2025
S&P's new Christian Values Screened Index explained
Faith-based investing is gaining momentum. More investors want portfolios that reflect their beliefs – but a key challenge has been the transparency in performance conversations.
Without a values-aligned benchmark, advisors are often left explaining why a faith-based portfolio “underperformed” the S&P 500® – even though it’s built on an entirely different investment universe.
That’s where a new tool comes in: the S&P 500 Christian Values Screened Index.
This is the first index specifically designed for Christian investors who want their investments to reflect their beliefs and have a meaningful benchmark for measuring performance.
If you’re curious what this means for your portfolio—or for your clients—read on for the key points.
What is the S&P 500 Christian Values Screened Index?
At its core, this index tracks the S&P 500 but screens out companies involved in activities considered contrary to certain Christian values. That includes businesses tied to:
- Abortion
- Stem cell research
- Adult entertainment
- Predatory lending
- Recreational cannabis
- Gambling
- Tobacco
- Violent video games
The goal is to provide a benchmark that aligns with ethical and moral priorities while still tracking major market trends.[i]
It’s important to note: this index may not perfectly mirror every investor’s individual faith convictions—but it’s a much closer and more relevant benchmark than what’s been available in the past.
Why faith-based is growing
This launch reflects a broader trend: more investors want their money to reflect their values. Assets in faith-based mutual funds and ETFs recently passed $100 billion[ii].
Clearly, investors—both individual and institutional—are increasingly seeking solutions that align with their beliefs, not just merely chasing returns.
Why transparency matters for advisors and investors
Why transparency matters for advisors and investors
For advisors and investors alike, transparency is key—especially when performance discussions arise.
The S&P 500 Christian Values Screened Index gives advisors a better tool to say:
“Here’s how your values-aligned investments performed relative to a benchmark that reflects those same values.”
This enables more honest, meaningful conversations. It helps clients understand that differences in returns come from a different investment universe—not from poor performance.
In short, it replaces vague explanations with data-backed clarity.
What this means for advisors and investors
Whether you’re managing your own portfolio or guiding clients, understanding the S&P 500 Christian Values Screened Index helps you:
- See how faith-based screens work in practice
- Discuss how aligning values may influence portfolio composition and performance
- Offer solutions that reflect clients’ ethical and moral priorities
- Foster transparent conversations backed by a relevant benchmark
It’s another way to ensure that investments are not just financially sound but also values-aligned.
Bottom line
The S&P 500 Christian Values Screened Index is more than just a new benchmark—it’s a sign of the growing demand for faith-based investing. By understanding how it works, both advisors and investors can make informed decisions about integrating values into their financial strategies—and have more transparent, trust-building conversations along the way.
[i] https://www.faithinvest.org/post/report-state-of-play-for-faith-based-investment-strategies-in-public-markets?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[ii] https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/new-christian-values-index-fund-evangelical-investors-created-investment-firm-sp
Information provided herein reflects Frontier’s views as of the date of this presentation and can change at any time without notice.
This information has been prepared by Frontier based on data and information provided by internal and external sources. While we believe the information provided by external sources to be reliable, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. Nor should their use be construed as an endorsement.
It is generally not possible to invest directly in an index. Exposure to an asset class or trading strategy, or other category represented by an index is only available through third-party investable instruments (if any) based on that index.
The S&P 500® Christian Values Screened Index excludes from the S&P 500 certain activities that are not aligned with an Evangelical Christian framework defined by Bountiful Financial that includes a set of exclusions based on business involvement with specific thresholds. The index is designed for market participants who do not want to breach religious values in their passive investing strategies.
Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Performance shown represents total returns that include income, realized and unrealized gains and losses. Nothing presented herein is or is intended to constitute investment advice or recommendations to buy or sell any types of securities and no investment decision should be made based solely on information provided herein. There is a risk of loss from an investment in securities, including the risk of loss of principal. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will be profitable or suitable for a particular investor’s financial situation or risk tolerance. Frontier is not responsible for any trading decisions, damages or other losses resulting from this information, data, analyses, opinions or their use. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. All performance results should be considered in light of the market and economic conditions that prevailed at the time those results were generated. Before investing, consider investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses.
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