Top Dow Jones Stocks of 2024: Nvidia, Walmart, and More

As the year 2024 comes to a close, it's time to take a look at the top-performing Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) stocks. The DJIA, a price-weighted index, includes 30 of the largest and most influential companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq. Here are the five best Dow Jones stocks of 2024, based on their performance throughout the year:



1. Nvidia (NVDA):
* Performance: +174% (as of Dec. 27, 2024)
* Nvidia has been the clear leader among Dow Jones stocks in 2024, driven by its dominance in advanced semiconductors for AI applications and accelerated computing. The company's stock price nearly tripled, reaching a high of around $800 per share in December before pulling back to around $600.
* Nvidia's exceptional performance was supported by a 103% surge in quarterly earnings and revenue growth of nearly 94% in the fourth quarter. However, the stock wilted in December after China announced an investigation into the chip giant on antimonopoly concerns.
2. Walmart (WMT):
* Performance: +72% (as of Dec. 27, 2024)
* Walmart's strong performance in 2024 can be attributed to its embrace of technology, low prices, and e-commerce growth. The retail giant's stock price jumped about 72% in 2024, including a 12% Q4 advance.
* Walmart's Composite Rating of 84, with an EPS Rating of 85 and an RS Rating of 91, reflects the strength of its fundamentals and technicals. The company's earnings surprised to the upside in the last 10 quarters, and its famously low prices continue to resonate with inflation-weary shoppers.
3. American Express (AXP):
* Performance: +58% (as of Dec. 27, 2024)
* American Express' stock surged 58% in 2024, including a 10% Q4 gain. The company's Composite Rating of 95, EPS Rating of 87, and RS Rating of 89 indicate strong performance in earnings, sales, and relative strength.
* American Express continues to attract high-spending, high-credit-quality customers and has seen a growing appeal with younger cardholders, boosting new card acquisitions. The company raised earnings guidance after beating quarterly views in October 2024.
4. Goldman Sachs (GS):
* Performance: +48% (as of Dec. 27, 2024)
* Goldman Sachs' stock zoomed 48% higher in 2024, including a 16% Q4 gain. The investment banking giant's Composite Rating of 92, EPS Rating of 87, and RS Rating of 89 reflect its strong performance in earnings, sales, and relative strength.
* Goldman Sachs continues to expand its asset management business and is expected to be a key beneficiary of the incoming Trump administration's focus on deregulation and an anticipated rebound in capital markets activity under President-elect Trump.
5. Amazon.com (AMZN):
* Performance: +45% (as of Dec. 27, 2024)
* Amazon's stock surged 45% in 2024, including a 19% Q4 advance. The e-commerce technology giant's growth in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and advertising revenue helped to power its stock higher this year.
* Amazon has leveraged AI technologies, such as bringing its AI assistant Amazon Q to its AWS enterprise customers. The company's Composite Rating of 84, EPS Rating of 85, and RS Rating of 91 reflect its strong performance in earnings, sales, and relative strength.



These top-performing Dow Jones stocks have shown strong earnings growth and revenue trends throughout 2024, contributing to their impressive stock price performances. As we look ahead to 2025, investors will continue to monitor these companies' fundamentals and market trends to identify potential opportunities and risks.