In the first quarter, the S&P 500 experienced a 10% correction due to uncertainties stemming from trade tensions. Despite this, certain sectors like energy, basic materials, consumer staples, and utilities saw positive growth while information technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services lagged behind.

Investors were drawn to defensive companies during this period of market instability, leading to their outperformance. Companies like Verisign and Philip Morris were among the top performers in the first quarter of 2025.

Here are some of the best-performing S&P 500 companies in Q1:

1. Arthur J. Gallagher (Ticker: AJG) - Insurance - Q1 performance: 21.6% 2. Brown & Brown (Ticker: BRO) - Insurance - Q1 performance: 21.9% 3. Exelon (Ticker: EXC) - Utilities - Q1 performance: 22.4% 4. Verisign (Ticker: VRSN) - Software/Internet - Q1 performance: 22.7% 5. Cencora (Ticker: COR) - Healthcare - Q1 performance: 23.8% 6. Consolidated Edison (Ticker: ED) - Utilities - Q1 performance: 23.9% 7. AT&T (Ticker: T) - Telecom - Q1 performance: 24.2% 8. Newmont (Ticker: NEM) - Gold mining - Q1 performance: 29.7% 9. Philip Morris (Ticker: PM) - Tobacco - Q1 performance: 31.9% 10. CVS (Ticker: CVS) - Healthcare - Q1 performance: 50.9%