In this article, we will discuss: 10 Best Performing Dow Stocks So Far in 2026.
On April 15, Hamish Preston, head of US equities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in an interview that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 on February 6, 2026. It was the first time in nearly 130 years that the index reached that level.
He pointed out that the milestone underlines the index’s role as a long-term indicator of U.S. equity markets. The gauge had crossed 40,000 less than two years earlier. That pace shows how quickly these milestones are now being reached. Since its creation in 1896 by Charles Dow, the index has gone through 136 constituent changes. It started with 12 stocks and expanded to 30 by 1928. As of January 2026, the average tenure of a company in the index stands at around 25 years.
S&P Dow Jones Indices also said the index supports about $115 billion in indexed assets and more than $8 trillion in equivalent trading volume in 2024. Preston added that new additions drove more than half of the move from 40,000 to 50,000. In his view, that reflects how sector exposure continues to evolve. He also said the index represents most industries, even though it still leans more toward financials and industrials.
With that said, here are the 10 Best Performing Dow Stocks So Far in 2026.
Methodology:
We began with a pool of 30 stocks from the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and identified stocks that have delivered positive returns in 2026 so far. We then picked the top 10 stocks with the highest Year-to-Date return as of April 16. We have limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of their year-to-date performance.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Year-to-date return as of April 16: 8.46%
On March 31, 2026, Reuters announced that Infinimmune has signed an agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to research and develop several antibody candidates, with potential milestone payments totaling $838 million. The deal includes an undisclosed upfront payment to Infinimmune. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the ensuing medicines.
Infinimmune announced that it will use its exclusive technology to screen vast volumes of human immune cells. It is discovering naturally existing antibodies and improving them with artificial intelligence methods. CEO of Infinimmune Wyatt McDonnell told Reuters that the technology promotes antibodies that have already been sculpted by human biology rather than creating them from scratch.
The firms will investigate various secret targets chosen by Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK). McDonnell stressed that the relationship is not limited to a specific disease area. Infinimmune is also exploring internal early-stage treatments for moderate-to-severe eczema and other immune-related disorders.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a healthcare firm that provides health solutions through prescription medications, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates in three segments: pharmaceutical, animal health, and other.
9. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Year-to-date return as of April 16: 8.77%
On April 1, 2026, Reuters reported that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and its approved bottlers want to invest 17.6 billion rand ($1.05 billion) in South Africa by 2030. It referenced comments made by Africa operating unit president Luis Felipe Avellar at an investment conference in Johannesburg. The corporation stated that the investment will increase production capacity, boost distribution, and expedite innovation across its value chain.
Separately, on March 23, 2026, Reuters reported that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s largest Indian bottler, SLMG Beverages, has warned of potential price increases due to rising packaging costs associated with the Middle East war. Deputy CEO at SLMG, Rahul Kumar, stated that rising prices for plastic, caps, labels, and cardboard may necessitate selected price increases based on competition and consumer response.
SLMG accounts for around 22% of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s India volumes. The firm aims to invest between 10 billion rupees ($106.58 million) and 12 billion rupees in each of the four additional factories it plans to build over the next five years. In fiscal year 2025, the bottler’s sales increased by 49% to 67.73 billion rupees, while net profit rose 76% to 2.06 billion rupees, according to the company database Tofler.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) manufactures and markets non-alcoholic beverages. It operates in the following regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, Global Ventures, and Bottling Investments.
8. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Year-to-date return as of April 16: 10.20%
On April 17, 2026, Truist lifted its target price for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) to $285 from $280. The analysts kept their Buy rating before Q1 earnings. Truist expects its AWS business to grow faster than the expansion in e-commerce and digital advertising. The firm predicts AWS revenue will grow 25% in Q1 from 23% in Q4. It noted growing AI workload adoption through partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic.
Separately, on April 20, 2026, Reuters reported that California Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) engaged in anticompetitive conduct that increased consumer prices. The lawsuit says that the firm worked with sellers, including Levi Strauss, to set prices at Home Depot, Walmart, and Chewy. This was to avoid undercutting, with the alleged coordination affecting products such as clothes, fertilizer, eye drops, and pet treats. Bonta believes the firm dodged lower-price matching and seeks an injunction and damages. The trial is set for January 19, 2027. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) denied wrongdoing and argued that such arrangements benefit customers.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a multinational technology firm that provides online buying services. It operates in three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services.
7. Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)
Year-to-date return as of April 16: 10.70%
On April 20, 2026, The Business Journals reported that Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) is redesigning its Great Value private label for approximately 10,000 items. The transformation, which marks the first substantial redesign in more than a decade, will be phased in over two years, beginning with salty snacks. The firm added that the change will improve visual consistency and make products easier to find in shops and on digital channels.
The corporation stated that the new packaging will offer better nutrition information and benefit claims, along with improved item identification for Walmart+ delivery operations. Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)’s vice president of creative, David Hartman, stated that the strategy will help customers identify products more quickly by improving clarity and uniformity.
Walmart+ membership reached 28 million in early 2026, up about 12% year on year, citing Morgan Stanley data. Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) is also working to rebuild hundreds more stores. The company expects $713 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2026, with more than 10,900 outlets in 19 countries.
Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) operates in the retail and wholesale sectors. The company provides a variety of products and services at everyday affordable prices. It operates in three business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club.
6. Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO)
Year-to-date return as of April 16: 11.13%
On April 11, 2026, The Information reported that Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) is in talks to acquire cybersecurity startup Astrix Security for $250 million to $350 million. Persons familiar with the subject stated that conversations were still underway, with no final agreement disclosed.
On April 7, 2026, Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) also issued its State of Industrial AI Report, which highlights the growing use of AI in operational environments. About 61% of firms now use AI in live industrial operations, with 20% reporting scaled installations. AI is driving applications such as predictive maintenance, automation, and energy forecasting.
Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) stated that infrastructure readiness and cybersecurity dictate scaling capability, with 98% of respondents naming cybersecurity foundational and 40% citing it as their most significant hurdle. The report stated that 97% of respondents expect AI workloads to influence network requirements, and 96% believe wireless connectivity is crucial. The corporation also revealed that 83% of firms intend to expand AI spending, with 87% expecting meaningful results within two years.
Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) designs, manufactures, and sells Internet Protocol-based networking devices and services for the communication and information technology industries. The company operates in three geographical segments: the Americas, EMEA, and APJC.
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