Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks with the Largest Gains in 2019

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index has shown a strong performance in 2019, marking a 15% increase year-to-date. Leading the charge in this upward trend are notable companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Home Depot, Visa, and The Proctor and Gamble Company. Despite the Dow’s overall rise, the year has presented its fair share of challenges for investors, with ongoing trade tensions between the US and China introducing volatility into the market.

Understanding the Dow Jones

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a stock market index that tracks the performance of 30 large companies listed on the NASDAQ and NYSE stock exchanges. These companies, known as blue-chip firms, have a history of consistent earnings, and they include Microsoft Corp, Apple Inc, Visa Inc, Walt Disney Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, among others.

Dow Jones Industrial Average Performance

Data from Finviz reveals that currently, 25 out of the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones have recorded year-to-date price gains. The poorest performer in the Dow this year is Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), which has seen a decline of 21.45%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index itself has climbed approximately 15% in 2019. Starting at 23,327.46 points at the end of 2018, it has reached 26,787.40 as of October 15, 2019. As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, optimism is cautious, primarily due to the typically robust fourth quarter and the potential for a US/China trade agreement. However, concerns linger over the global economic slowdown, Brexit uncertainties, and the possibility of the US/China trade negotiations falling through.

Top 5 Dow Jones Gainers in 2019

The standout performers in the Dow Jones in 2019 include Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Home Depot (HD), Visa (V), and Procter & Gamble (PG). Here’s a closer look at each of these leading companies:

1. Apple Inc. (AAPL): AAPL has been the star performer in the Dow Jones, registering a remarkable 49.53% gain year-to-date. The recent launch of the iPhone 11 series on September 10, 2019, played a pivotal role in AAPL’s performance, contributing to a 10% increase in its stock since the new devices hit the market. Apple’s market capitalization has also returned to the trillion-dollar club.
2. Microsoft (MSFT): MSFT, another trillion-dollar company, is the second most significant riser in the Dow Jones in 2019. MSFT shares have surged by 37.39% since the beginning of the year, largely due to its robust performance in cloud computing, particularly with its Azure product. Analysts anticipate another strong quarter for Microsoft when it reports earnings on October 23, 2019.
3. The Home Depot Inc. (HD): Home Depot, a home improvement retailer, has mirrored MSFT’s year-to-date performance, with shares up by 36.29%. The company exceeded profit expectations in the previous quarter, maintaining its strong performance despite the ongoing US-China trade tensions. Co-founder Bernie Marcus attributed some impact on its full-year sales forecast to the trade war.
4. Visa Inc. (V): Visa, a payment technology company, takes the fourth spot among the Dow Jones top performers. V’s shares have risen by 34.42%, moving from $132 to $177 per share in nine months. Visa’s strategic acquisitions this year, including Earthport, Verifi, and Payworks, have bolstered its services. Visa notably exited the Libra Association, along with eBay, MasterCard, and Stripe, amid heightened scrutiny of the cryptocurrency project by the US Congress.
5. The Procter and Gamble Company (PG): PG rounds out the list as the fifth Dow Jones mover, with its shares climbing 31.73% since the start of 2019. Beginning the year at $91 per share, PG now trades at $121 per share. The company’s focus on cost-saving measures and productivity enhancements, initiated last year, has allowed PG to surpass analysts’ expectations in two out of the past three quarters.

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