In this article, we will discuss: 12 Best Performing Dow Stocks in 2025.
The Dow is a widely recognized and important stock market index that tracks the performance of thirty publicly traded companies from a wide range of industries that are listed on US stock exchanges.
As of December 11, 2025, the index has risen 10.32% during the previous 12 months and 14.89% so far in 2025. It climbed by 13.62% during the last six months, maintaining its gain of 1.62% last month. It has returned an incredible 3,072.47% since 1985 and has gone up by 62.10% over the past five years.
By contrast, the broader market has surpassed the Dow, rising 13% over the past year and 17.59% so far in 2025. Over the past six months, the broader market has surged by 14.59%, with a 13.43% increase in the most recent month. Its long-term performance has been solid, with an impressive 821.73% growth since 1996 and a five-year gain of 88.37%.
For 127 years, the Dow Jones has experienced recurring long-term cycles, according to a report by Guggenheim Investments. There have been five successful secular bull markets. Moreover, there have been four secular bear markets with little to no gains. For instance, the bull market of 1982-1999 yielded an annual return of 15.34%, whereas the bear market of 2000-2010 yielded an annual return of just 0.06%.
Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management, stated the Dow had a fantastic day and that the broadening-out trade might start if the trend keeps up, as CNBC reported on December 12. He stated that even without the Magnificent 7’s backing, the rest of the market must rise for the bull market to persist. He also stated that if the momentum continues and more buyers come in, a rally may easily last until the end of this year and the beginning of next year.
With that said, here are the 12 Best Performing Dow Stocks in 2025.
Our 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 2025 so far. We then picked the top 12 stocks with the highest Year-to-Date return as of December 10. We have only included stocks that have upside potential. 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 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 3.20%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 13.68%
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the Best Performing Stocks.
TheFly reported on December 11, 2025, that BofA reduced its price goal for Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) from $183 to $180 while keeping a Buy rating.
TheFly previously reported on December 1 that HSBC raised Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) from Hold to Buy with a price objective of $169.
Separately, the Gorgon Joint Venture’s partners authorized the A$3 billion ($1.98 billion) Gorgon Stage 3 project off the northwest coast of Western Australia, according to a Reuters story published on December 5. As stated by Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)’s Australian division, the project will connect the Gorgon infrastructure on Barrow Island to the Geryon and Eurytion offshore natural gas fields to backfill the current LNG export operation. The project includes six exploration wells drilled across two fields as part of a larger subsea tieback plan.
The project proposal was approved by the regulator in November following public feedback, Reuters reported. The Australian divisions of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil, and Shell collectively own 97.3% of the Gorgon Project, with the remaining shares held by Osaka Gas, JERA, and MidOcean. According to Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) Australia, the project will promote long-term local gas supply and LNG exports.
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is a massive American oil company. It is a global exploration, production, and refining company that operates as an integrated energy business.
11. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 3.60%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 22.68%
Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is one of the Best Performing Stocks.
TheFly revealed on December 11 that BofA analyst Mihir Bhatia assigned a $382 price objective and upgraded Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) from Neutral to Buy. Bhatia noted the shares offer “very attractive return potential,” considering the company’s recent poor performance. Additionally, the analyst said that Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is still a premier business and described regulatory and litigation issues as manageable, and noted stablecoins as a potential opportunity.
TheFly previously reported on December 8 that HSBC had upgraded Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) from Hold to Buy with a price objective of $389, up from $335. The company’s solid financial performance and valuation were cited by the firm as reasons for the upgrade. Value-added services have a long development runway, according to HSBC, whereas Commercial & Money Movement Solutions provide more potential. The analyst underlined that Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)’s appealing financial algorithm remains intact as these services continue to create explosive growth.
Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)’s last quarter results were marginally above Wall Street projections, due to strong U.S. consumer spending and higher volumes of transactions. The company reported that cross-border payments had not been affected by tariffs, despite a 9% YoY increase in global payments volume.
Furthermore, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) released a positive forecast for FY26, predicting low double-digit net revenue growth. Although overall volumes were still high enough to sustain a profit beat, cross-border growth slowed throughout the quarter.
10. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 5.25%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 22.61%
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the Best Performing Stocks.
Guggenheim started covering Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) on December 9 with a $300 price target and a buy rating, according to TheFly. Although the retail industry is still viewed as “structurally sick,” the firm pointed out that many businesses are running close to their gross margin peaks, tariffs have been tolerable, and the holiday season has given positive momentum.
According to a December 10 Reuters story, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is planning to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030 with the goal to expand its business, improve its artificial intelligence skills, and boost exports. According to the company, its investments will be consistent with India’s national priorities, with a spotlight on job creation, small business support, logistical infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Since 2010, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has made $40 billion in investments in India, including a $26 billion investment in 2023. The company intends to create 1 million new jobs in India by 2030 and raise overall exports for sellers from $20 billion over the past decade to $80 billion by 2030.
According to Reuters, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s growth is a part of a larger trend of American tech companies making significant investments in India. Over the next five years, Microsoft and Google have committed $17.5 billion and $15 billion, respectively, to AI and cloud infrastructure. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s rivals in the Indian market include the retail division of Reliance Industries and Walmart-backed Flipkart.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a leading online shopping site and marketplace for third-party sellers.
9. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 6.16%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 5.09%
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is one of the Best Performing Stocks.
Barclays analyst Jeff Bernstein kept a Buy rating on McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) on December 6 and set a price goal of $358.
According to a December 8 CNBC report, starting on January 1, 2026, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) will evaluate franchisees worldwide based on how well their prices provide value in accordance with revised global franchising guidelines. According to Andrew Gregory, senior vice president of global franchising, development, and delivery, the revised guidelines are intended to reinforce accountability for value leadership and provide clarity to ensure each restaurant delivers consistent customer value. According to CNBC, franchisees, who run roughly 95% of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)’s restaurants worldwide, will continue to determine prices with input from third-party pricing experts. At the same time, the business will evaluate pricing choices systemically for value.
The revised guidelines come after MCD’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger urged franchisees to keep the chain’s value offerings. According to CNBC, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) introduced value menus in the United States and key international markets like France and Germany as a result of lower-income clients cutting back on spending and visits over the past year.
During the company’s earnings call, CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that consumer demand is anticipated to persist through 2026. In a memo received by CNBC, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) USA Chief Restaurant Officer Mason Smoot stated that franchisees will receive authorized price experts and tools to assist well-informed decisions and improve the customer service across all order points.
8. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 13.53%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 11.31%
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
According to a December 2 update from TheFly, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) revealed more innovation and possibilities for bolt-on M&A.
Henrique Braun will succeed James Quincey as CEO of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) on March 31, 2026, according to a December 10 CNBC report. Furthermore, Braun will be nominated to the board of directors. According to CNBC, Quincey, 60, who took over as CEO in 2017, will continue to serve as executive chairman. Braun began working for the company in 1996 and was appointed COO at the beginning of 2025. According to The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), the change in leadership coincides with the company’s efforts to address the slowdown in customer demand for soft drinks.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s global unit case volume increased 1% in the third quarter after falling in the previous one, according to CNBC. Quincey has previously stated that lower-income consumers have lowered their purchases, prompting the firm to provide cheaper and smaller product offerings. Additionally, CNBC pointed out that more costly brands like Fairlife and Smartwater have recently outperformed the company’s beverage line.
According to CNBC, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has surpassed PepsiCo under Quincey’s leadership due to its more robust out-of-home operation. Its namesake brand remains the best-selling soda in the United States, and according to CNBC, Sprite beat out Pepsi to become the country’s third-best-selling beverage.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) shares have climbed by 13.53% YTD, while Pepsi shares have decreased by more than 0.78%.
7. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 14.33%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 31.23%
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
Morgan Stanley analyst Keith Weiss reaffirmed a Buy rating on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and set a price objective of $650 on December 8, 2025.
Further developments followed on December 9 from theFly, where Jefferies stated that OpenAI’s hiring of Denise Dresser, the CEO of Slack, as its new CRO positions the company for a major enterprise push in 2026. The firm sees this as a tactical opportunity for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and also advantageous for Oracle and CoreWeave, recognizing their exposure to OpenAI’s backlog.
Separately, on December 9, Reuters reported that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella would invest $17.5 billion in India. Nadella announced X as international IT companies build infrastructure in one of the fastest-growing digital markets in the world.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) cautioned that spending would increase this year after reporting a record capital expenditure of around $35 billion for its fiscal first quarter in October. It is anticipated that American tech companies will invest over $400 billion in artificial intelligence this year, as reported by Reuters.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has projected that it is unlikely to possess enough AI capacity until at least June 2026, when its current fiscal year ends.
The company’s expenditures have so far paid off, as revenue at its Azure cloud computing division rose 40% between July and September, above projections. Furthermore, its fiscal second-quarter forecast exceeded projections.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) creates and licenses consumer and enterprise software.
6. The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 15.55%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 4.48%
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
According to The Fly on November 17, 2025, Morgan Stanley lifted its price objective for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) from $285 to $295 and retained its Equal Weight rating. Following Q3 results, analyst Bob Huang updated the company’s insurance-sector models. According to Huang, Morgan Stanley anticipates a softening cycle for the property-and-casualty market until 2026.
According to the Q3 earnings report, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) Chairman and CEO Alan Schnitzer stated that net written premiums climbed to $11.5 billion. Business Insurance jumped 3% YoY to $5.7 billion, Bond & Specialty Insurance totaled $1.1 billion, and Personal Insurance reached $4.7 billion.
According to Daniel Frey, Chief Financial Officer, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) still anticipates an expense ratio of 28.5% for the entire year 2025 and anticipates keeping it at the same level in 2026. The company’s forecast for fixed-income net investment income has risen to about $810 million after taxes for the fourth quarter of 2025. The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) projects fixed-income NII to exceed $3.3 billion in 2026.
Furthermore, Frey stated that the company intends to raise share repurchases to around $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter, pointing out the improved capital position and investment-income projection.
According to Morningstar analysts, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV)’ business is surrounded by a tight economic moat due to the strength of its commercial insurance businesses. The firm engages in both commercial and personal insurance lines and offers a wide range of solutions.
5. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 15.62%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 20.55%
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
On December 9, 2025, TheFly reported that Goldman Sachs kept a Buy rating and a $257 price target on The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA). This came after Goldman Sachs reviewed the company’s monthly delivery figures. The firm pointed out that The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)’s aircraft order inventory is still substantial in comparison to supply and that November gross orders were solid, extending year-to-date momentum. According to the company, a multi-year rise in deliveries across all aircraft platforms is supported by the backlog.
On the same day, Reuters reported that The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) had only delivered 44 in November, down from 53 in October, and was falling behind European rival Airbus, which delivered 72 planes. Deliveries included six 787s, two 777 freighters, four 767s, and 32 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, five of which were delivered to Southwest Airlines. In November, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) reported 164 new orders, 126 net new orders, and 38 cancellations. There were 74 orders for the 777X, including 65 from Emirates and 9 from China Airlines. Furthermore, the business received 30 orders from undisclosed customers for the 787 and 43 orders for the 737 MAX. Five 737 MAX orders from Comair, four 787 orders from Air Canada, and fifteen 777X orders from Etihad were cancelled. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) delivered 537 aircraft through November 30, booked 1,000 new orders, with 908 net after cancellations, and had a 6,019 order backlog at the conclusion of the month.
Jay Malave, the chief financial officer of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), stated last week that the business anticipates positive cash flow in 2026 as a result of growing jet deliveries.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is a key aerospace and defense company that operates in three segments: commercial aircraft; defense, space, and security; and global services.
4. Walmart Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ:WMT)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 25.76%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 4.55%
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
According to The Fly, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) formally relocated its primary listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq on December 9, 2025, and kept its “WMT” trade symbol.
Jefferies characterized the move as “far more substantive than symbolic. The firm noted the potential Nasdaq 100 inclusion, incremental passive inflows from index-tracking funds, and confirmation of Walmart Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ:WMT)‘s standing as a technologically advanced omnichannel retailer. The firm also noted that the company’s recent “beat & raise” report confirms its tech-forward growth narrative, maintaining a Buy rating with a $125 price target.
CNBC published on the same day that CEO Doug McMillon pointed out Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)’s transformation into a tech-enabled e-commerce giant, mentioning advancements in AI and technology as the main cause of the listing switch. The business has integrated AI and automation into its in-store business, including digital ink displays and smart shopping carts, as well as inventory management and logistics. Walmart Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ:WMT)‘s AI strategy revolves around its advertising business, which uses first-party shopper data and AI techniques across app, website, in-store, and linked TV platforms. Sparky, the retailer’s artificial intelligence shopping assistant, was also introduced to provide a more customized consumer experience.
Investors, such as Eric Clark, portfolio manager at Accuvest Global Advisors, remarked that Walmart Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ:WMT)’s everyday low-price strategy, Walmart+ membership service, and adoption of Amazon-like operational tactics had improved e-commerce performance and increased its customer base. Walmart Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ:WMT) shares are up by 25.76% YTD.
3. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 29.21%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 5.15%
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
According to The Fly on December 10, 2025, Morgan Stanley reduced JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) price objective from $338 to $331. The firm kept an Equal Weight rating on JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM). The firm revised its EPS expectations for 2026 and 2027 to $21.61 and $23.66, respectively, down 3% and 2%, noting higher expenses balanced by stronger Markets revenues.
On December 9, 2025, Reuters reported that JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) expects expenses in 2026 to go up to roughly $105 billion, primarily due to costs associated with expansion and volume. Marianne Lake, Chief of Consumer and Community Banking of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), identified strategic initiatives as the second-most significant driver of expense growth, with a substantial share coming from the consumer and community banking division. According to LSEG statistics, analysts’ consensus estimate of total expenses was $100.84 billion, Reuters reported.
Furthermore, Lake pointed out that market revenue is anticipated to expand by low-teen percentages in the fourth quarter of the year, and investment banking revenue is projected to surge by low-single-digit percentages. The market for bank mergers and acquisitions is more favorable than it was in the past, she continued. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)’s stock plummeted 4.3% after these revelations, the biggest one-day drop since April 4, 2025.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is one of the largest and most intricate financial institutions in the United States, with over $4 trillion in assets.
2. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 32.88%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 35.29%
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
On December 9, 2025, The Fly reported that Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers upgraded his evaluation of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA). This was in response to official statements that the Trump Administration had finalized plans to remove export restrictions on the company’s H200 chips to China. Rakers labeled the development as an “incremental positive,” pointing out that it might generate $25 billion to $30 billion in revenue annually and boost earnings by 60-70 cents per share. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is still rated as Overweight by Wells Fargo, with a $265 price target.
Separately, the Financial Times reported via Reuters on the same day, citing two individuals familiar with the situation, that Beijing regulators are expected to restrict access to NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)’s H200 processors despite Trump’s export license.
Chinese officials are debating how to grant restricted access to NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)’s second-generation AI processor, the H200, according to the Financial Times report. The action might make it more difficult for American chipmakers to supply the Chinese market.
After the report, gains in NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares, which had increased by up to 2% in premarket trading, were reduced to 0.6%. Sales of advanced artificial intelligence processors to China were previously forbidden by U.S. regulations. Trump stated that a 25% tax will be applied to the authorized shipments.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares have shot up by 32.88% YTD as of December 10.
1. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)
Year-to-date return as of December 10: 35.79%
Analysts’ Upside Potential as of December 10: 5.06%
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is among the Best Performing Stocks.
On December 10, 2025, Bloomberg reported that Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) shares hit a record high for the first time in over 25 years. On Wednesday, the stock increased by 0.9% to $80.25, exceeding its previous high of March 27, 2000, during the dot-com bubble. The S&P 500 was up 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 100 was up 0.4% as U.S. equities rose after the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates for the third time in a row.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)’s past dot-com-era profits had pushed the business’s valuation above $500 billion before the industry slump. Following this, the firm lost approximately 90% of its market value, falling to around $60 billion in late 2002. Although Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)’s current market valuation is still more than 40% behind its dot-com peak, shares have since shot up by more than 800%.
The company’s current surge came after it released a solid revenue estimate last month. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) stated that it anticipates fiscal-year revenues to reach up to $61 billion by the end of July, surpassing Wall Street projections by roughly $1 billion. According to Bloomberg, the business has been attempting to put itself in a position to profit from growing global investments in AI infrastructure.
UBS analyst David Vogt also upgraded Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) shares to buy before its fiscal first-quarter reports last month, citing the need for AI infrastructure solutions, Bloomberg reported.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is one of the largest software firms in the world and the biggest supplier of networking equipment.
While we acknowledge the potential of CSCO to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CSCO and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stock To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. 12 Best Performing Dow Stocks in 2025 is originally published on Insider Monkey. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below.
