Best and Worst Performing Dow Jones Stocks in 2026: Top DJIA Gainers and Losers

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has experienced mixed stock performance in 2026, with some of America’s largest blue-chip companies delivering substantial gains while others have struggled to maintain positive returns. As of November 6, 2026, the strongest-performing stock in the supplied Dow Jones ranking is Amgen, with a year-to-date (YTD) return of 40.67%. Chevron and Merck follow closely, with gains of 39.50% and 39.40%, respectively.

However, the performance picture is not uniformly positive. Nike has recorded the largest decline in the ranking, losing 39.43% since the beginning of the year. IBM, Boeing, Salesforce, American Express, and McDonald’s have also posted negative YTD returns.

This article ranks all 30 Dow Jones stocks according to their year-to-date performance and compares their returns over the preceding one-year period. The ranking provides an overview of the strongest and weakest performers among the companies represented in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2026.

By examining both the leading gainers and the biggest losers, investors can better understand the differences in performance across healthcare, energy, consumer goods, financial services, technology, industrials, and other major sectors of the U.S. economy.

30-Second Summary: Best and Worst Performing Dow Jones Stocks in 2026

• Top-performing stock: Amgen leads the supplied ranking with a 40.67% YTD gain as of November 6, 2026.
• Second place: Chevron has gained 39.50% since the beginning of the year.
• Third place: Merck & Co. has delivered a 39.40% YTD return.
• Other strong performers: Coca-Cola, Travelers, Johnson & Johnson, Apple, and Cisco are among the leading stocks.
• Worst-performing stock: Nike ranks last, with a 39.43% YTD decline.
• Other major decliners: IBM, Boeing, Salesforce, American Express, and McDonald’s have also recorded negative returns.
• Performance comparison: The ranking includes both YTD and one-year returns to provide a broader perspective on stock performance.

30 Dow Jones Stocks Ranked by YTD Performance in 2026

The following table ranks all 30 companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average based on their year-to-date percentage changes as of November 6, 2026. The one-year return column provides additional context by showing how each stock has performed over the preceding 12 months.

The ranking includes both positive and negative returns, allowing investors to compare the strongest gainers with the weakest performers in the index.

Data as of November 6, 2026. YTD Change represents the percentage change since the beginning of 2026. 1-Year Change represents the percentage change over the preceding one-year period. Figures are based on the supplied dataset.

Top 10 Best Performing Dow Jones Stocks in 2026

The top 10 companies in the ranking represent several important sectors of the U.S. economy, including healthcare, energy, consumer staples, insurance, and technology.

Although these companies have all delivered positive YTD returns, their business models, financial characteristics, and industry exposure are quite different.

1. Amgen (AMGN): 40.67% YTD Return

Amgen is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes medicines for serious illnesses. Its portfolio includes treatments across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and other medical conditions.

With a 40.67% YTD gain and a 43.79% one-year return, Amgen ranks first among the 30 Dow Jones stocks in this ranking.

Investors evaluating Amgen should examine pharmaceutical revenue growth, product demand, research and development spending, clinical pipeline developments, patent exposure, and regulatory risks.

Biotechnology companies can face significant uncertainty because clinical trial results, regulatory decisions, and competition from other treatments can influence their commercial prospects.

2. Chevron (CVX): 39.50% YTD Return

Chevron is one of the largest integrated energy companies in the world. Its operations include oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, chemicals, and energy transportation.

The company’s 39.50% YTD gain places it second in the Dow Jones ranking.

Chevron’s financial performance is influenced by crude oil and natural gas prices, production volumes, refining margins, operating costs, and capital investment.

Investors should also consider its balance sheet, dividend sustainability, free cash flow, production outlook, and exposure to changing global energy demand.

3. Merck & Co. (MRK): 39.40% YTD Return

Merck & Co. is a global pharmaceutical company with operations in human health and animal health. Its business includes prescription medicines, vaccines, and other healthcare products.

Merck has gained 39.40% year to date and 70.06% over one year. Its one-year return is considerably higher than its YTD performance, showing that its gains extend beyond the beginning of 2026.

Important factors to monitor include pharmaceutical sales, clinical developments, patent expirations, new product launches, research spending, and competition from generic medicines.

4. Coca-Cola (KO): 36.85% YTD Return

The Coca-Cola Company is one of the world’s leading beverage businesses, with a portfolio of soft drinks, water, sports drinks, juices, and other beverage products.

Its global distribution network and well-established brands provide significant competitive advantages.

Coca-Cola has gained 36.85% year to date and 35.61% over one year. Investors analyzing the company should consider organic revenue growth, pricing power, operating margins, currency movements, and consumer demand.

Consumer staples companies are often evaluated for their business resilience, brand strength, and ability to generate cash across different economic conditions.

5. Travelers (TRV): 36.25% YTD Return

The Travelers Companies is a major property and casualty insurance provider in the United States. Its products include commercial insurance, personal insurance, and specialty insurance solutions.

Travelers has recorded a 36.25% YTD gain and a 41.24% one-year return.

Insurance companies are influenced by premium growth, underwriting performance, claims expenses, catastrophe losses, investment income, and reserve adequacy.

One important metric for property and casualty insurers is the combined ratio, which compares claims and operating expenses with premiums earned. A lower combined ratio generally indicates stronger underwriting profitability.

6. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 33.47% YTD Return

Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare company focused on innovative medicines and medical technology. Its business includes pharmaceutical products and medical devices used in different areas of healthcare.

The company has delivered a 33.47% YTD return and a 48.05% one-year gain.

Investors should consider pharmaceutical pipeline developments, medical technology demand, product launches, regulatory exposure, patent protection, and research and development investment.

7. Apple (AAPL): 25.94% YTD Return

Apple is one of the world’s largest technology companies, with a business built around the iPhone, Mac, iPad, wearables, software, and digital services.

Its ecosystem of hardware, software, and services supports customer loyalty and recurring revenue opportunities.

Apple’s 25.94% YTD return and 27.53% one-year gain place it among the 10 strongest-performing Dow Jones stocks.

Key factors for investors include iPhone demand, services growth, product innovation, gross margins, capital allocation, and the company’s ability to maintain its competitive position in the global technology market.

8. Cisco Systems (CSCO): 21.84% YTD Return

Cisco Systems provides networking equipment, cybersecurity solutions, software, and IT infrastructure products for businesses and government organizations.

Its business is connected to corporate technology spending, networking infrastructure investment, cloud computing, and cybersecurity demand.

Cisco has gained 21.84% year to date and 32.05% over one year.

Investors should monitor subscription revenue, software growth, product demand, margins, acquisition strategy, and the competitive environment in enterprise networking.

9. Visa (V): 20.51% YTD Return

Visa operates a global electronic payments network that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and payment service providers.

Its business benefits from electronic payment adoption, transaction volumes, cross-border spending, and the continued development of digital commerce.

Visa has gained 20.51% year to date and 25.78% over one year.

Important indicators include payment volume growth, processed transactions, cross-border revenue, operating margins, regulatory developments, and competition from alternative payment systems.

10. UnitedHealth Group (UNH): 19.40% YTD Return

UnitedHealth Group operates across health insurance and healthcare services through its UnitedHealthcare and Optum businesses.

The company is exposed to healthcare spending, insurance membership, medical costs, reimbursement policies, and regulatory developments.

UnitedHealth has recorded a 19.40% YTD return and a 21.57% one-year gain.

Investors should closely examine medical care ratios, membership trends, operating margins, healthcare cost inflation, regulatory exposure, and the company’s ability to manage medical expenses.

Worst Performing Dow Jones Stocks in 2026

While several Dow Jones companies have generated strong gains, others have experienced significant declines. The weakest performers in the ranking include Nike, Boeing, Salesforce, IBM, and American Express.

Examining these companies is just as important as analyzing the top gainers because negative returns may reflect changing business conditions, weaker earnings expectations, industry challenges, or valuation adjustments.

1. Nike (NKE): -39.43% YTD Return

Nike is a global sportswear company known for athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and sports-related products.

With a 39.43% YTD decline and a 36.83% one-year loss, Nike ranks last among the 30 stocks in the supplied ranking.

Investors evaluating Nike should examine revenue trends, inventory levels, gross margins, direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale distribution, product innovation, and competition.

Brand strength remains an important asset, but a company must also maintain product relevance, pricing power, and effective distribution to support long-term financial performance.

2. Boeing (BA): -20.14% YTD Return

Boeing is a major aerospace and defense manufacturer. Its commercial aircraft, defense systems, and services businesses operate in markets with complex production, regulatory, and supply-chain requirements.

Boeing has lost 20.14% year to date and 10.90% over one year.

Investors should monitor aircraft deliveries, production quality, regulatory developments, order backlogs, operating cash flow, debt, and execution of the company’s recovery plans.

The aerospace industry requires substantial capital investment and long production cycles, making operational performance particularly important.

3. Salesforce (CRM): -19.35% YTD Return

Salesforce is a cloud-based enterprise software company best known for its customer relationship management (CRM) platform.

Its solutions support sales, marketing, customer service, data management, and business automation.

Salesforce has declined 19.35% year to date and 10.93% over one year.

Investors should examine subscription revenue growth, customer retention, operating margins, free cash flow, enterprise software demand, and competition from other cloud and AI-enabled software providers.

4. IBM (IBM): -17.29% YTD Return

International Business Machines (IBM) provides enterprise technology, hybrid cloud, consulting, infrastructure, and software solutions.

IBM’s business serves large organizations that rely on technology systems for mission-critical operations.

The stock has declined 17.29% year to date and 20.03% over one year.

Important factors include software revenue growth, consulting demand, hybrid cloud adoption, infrastructure performance, operating margins, and the company’s ability to translate technology investments into sustainable business growth.

5. American Express (AXP): -13.23% YTD Return

American Express operates a global payments network and provides payment cards, financial services, and related products to consumers and businesses.

Its business is influenced by consumer spending, travel and entertainment activity, cardmember spending, credit quality, and loan losses.

American Express has recorded a 13.23% YTD decline and a 12.90% one-year loss.

Investors should monitor card spending volumes, customer acquisition costs, credit provisions, delinquency rates, net interest income, and broader consumer financial conditions.

Which Sectors Are Performing Best in the Dow Jones in 2026?

The Dow Jones ranking provides an interesting view of how different parts of the U.S. economy have performed during 2026.

Healthcare and energy companies occupy several of the highest positions, while technology stocks show a more mixed performance. Consumer and industrial companies also display considerable differences in their year-to-date returns.

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Healthcare is strongly represented among the top-performing companies. Amgen, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth Group all appear in the top 10.

These companies operate in different areas, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and health insurance.

Their performance can be influenced by pharmaceutical sales, research pipelines, regulatory decisions, healthcare spending, insurance costs, and medical demand.

Energy

Chevron ranks second in the overall list, with a 39.50% YTD gain.

Energy companies are influenced by commodity prices, production levels, refining conditions, geopolitical developments, capital spending, and global demand.

Chevron’s position highlights the strong performance of the energy business represented in this ranking.

Consumer Staples

Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Walmart are among the consumer-oriented companies with positive YTD returns.

These businesses operate in markets where brand strength, pricing power, distribution networks, and household spending patterns can influence financial performance.

Consumer staples companies may benefit from relatively recurring demand, although their share prices are still affected by valuation, input costs, currency movements, and competition.

Technology

Technology stocks show mixed results in the Dow Jones ranking.

Apple, Cisco, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA have positive YTD returns, although their gains differ considerably. IBM and Salesforce, on the other hand, have experienced significant declines.

This variation demonstrates why investors should avoid treating technology stocks as a single investment category. Hardware, software, cloud services, enterprise infrastructure, and digital platforms have different business models and competitive dynamics.

Financial Services

Financial companies also display mixed performance. Visa has gained 20.51% year to date, while JPMorgan Chase has recorded a more modest 3.81% gain.

Goldman Sachs and American Express have posted negative YTD returns.

Financial services businesses are influenced by interest rates, credit conditions, consumer activity, capital markets, payment volumes, and regulatory requirements.

Industrials and Consumer Discretionary

Industrial and consumer discretionary companies have also experienced different performance trends.

3M, Honeywell, and Sherwin-Williams have positive returns, while Caterpillar, Boeing, and Nike have declined.

Industrial demand, construction activity, global trade, manufacturing investment, consumer spending, and company-specific operational performance can all influence these businesses.

YTD Return vs. 1-Year Return: What Do the Numbers Tell Investors?

Comparing year-to-date and one-year returns provides a broader view of stock performance. The two measurements cover different periods and can reveal whether a company’s recent gains or losses are concentrated in the current calendar year or extend over a longer period.

Companies With Stronger One-Year Returns Than YTD Returns

Several Dow Jones companies have higher one-year returns than their YTD performance.

Merck provides a clear example. Its YTD return is 39.40%, while its one-year return is 70.06%. This indicates that its appreciation over the full one-year period is stronger than its performance since the beginning of 2026.

Johnson & Johnson has also gained 48.05% over one year, compared with 33.47% year to date.

These comparisons help investors understand the timing of price movements, although they do not explain the underlying reasons for those changes.

Companies With Stronger YTD Returns

Some stocks have performed better since the beginning of 2026 than over the preceding one-year period.

Chevron has a 39.50% YTD gain compared with a 37.15% one-year return. Coca-Cola has gained 36.85% year to date and 35.61% over one year.

These differences indicate that the current calendar year’s performance has been relatively stronger than the rolling one-year return.

Stocks With Negative Returns Over Both Periods

Nike, IBM, Salesforce, Boeing, American Express, and McDonald’s have negative YTD and one-year returns in the supplied ranking.

This pattern indicates that their share-price declines extend beyond the beginning of 2026.

However, negative historical performance does not automatically make a stock undervalued. Investors should investigate whether the decline reflects temporary market sentiment, deteriorating business fundamentals, or a combination of factors.

Why Is the Dow Jones Industrial Average Price-Weighted?

One of the most important characteristics of the Dow Jones Industrial Average is its price-weighted methodology.

Unlike market-capitalization-weighted indices such as the S&P 500, the Dow assigns greater influence to stocks with higher share prices, rather than companies with larger total market capitalizations.

This means that a $10 price movement in a higher-priced Dow component generally has a greater effect on the index than the same dollar movement in a lower-priced component.

The index is calculated by adding the share prices of its 30 components and dividing the result by an adjusted divisor. The divisor is modified to account for corporate actions and changes in index constituents.

For example, a company with a relatively high share price may have a greater influence on the Dow’s daily movement than a much larger company whose stock trades at a lower nominal price.

This is an important distinction when interpreting the performance of individual Dow Jones stocks and the overall index.

Investors can learn more about the index methodology from the official Dow Jones Industrial Average overview.

Should Investors Buy the Best Performing Dow Jones Stocks?

Strong stock market performance can attract investor attention, but a high YTD return does not automatically indicate that a stock is a good investment at its current price.

Similarly, a company with a negative YTD return is not necessarily undervalued or likely to recover.

Before investing in any Dow Jones stock, investors should consider several important factors.

1. Examine Financial Fundamentals

Revenue growth, earnings, operating margins, debt, free cash flow, and return on invested capital can help investors assess a company’s financial health.

Our guide on how to use fundamental analysis to choose stocks explains how investors can evaluate financial statements, business quality, and valuation.

2. Evaluate the Company’s Valuation

A company can be financially strong but still trade at a price that reflects overly optimistic expectations.

Investors can examine the price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-sales ratio, enterprise value multiples, and other valuation measures relevant to the business.

These metrics should be compared with competitors and the company’s historical valuation range.

3. Understand Industry-Specific Risks

Different Dow Jones companies face different risks.

Healthcare companies may face regulatory and clinical risks, energy businesses are exposed to commodity price changes, and financial companies are sensitive to credit conditions and economic activity.

Understanding these differences can help investors avoid making decisions based solely on headline performance figures.

4. Use Technical Analysis to Assess Price Trends

Technical analysis can help investors examine historical price movements, trading volume, momentum, and potential support and resistance levels.

Our article on how to use technical analysis to choose stocks explains the most widely used indicators and how they can support a structured investment process.

5. Avoid Chasing Stocks After Large Gains

Buying a stock simply because it has recently outperformed the market can expose investors to the risk of paying an excessive valuation.

Instead of reacting to market excitement, investors should assess whether the company’s future earnings and cash flows can justify its current price.

6. Consider Diversification and Risk Management

Holding several stocks does not automatically create a diversified portfolio, especially when those companies operate in similar industries or depend on the same economic drivers.

Investors should consider sector exposure, position sizes, investment objectives, and their ability to tolerate losses.

Read our guide to the risks of investing in stocks for a more detailed discussion of market risk, company-specific risk, and portfolio diversification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dow Jones Stocks in 2026

1. What is the best-performing Dow Jones stock in 2026?

According to the supplied ranking as of November 6, 2026, Amgen is the best-performing Dow Jones stock, with a YTD gain of 40.67%. Chevron and Merck & Co. rank second and third, respectively.

2. What are the top 5 performing Dow Jones stocks in 2026?

The top five stocks are Amgen (40.67%), Chevron (39.50%), Merck & Co. (39.40%), Coca-Cola (36.85%), and Travelers (36.25%).

3. Which Dow Jones stock has the worst performance in 2026?

Nike ranks last in the supplied list, with a 39.43% YTD decline as of November 6, 2026. Boeing, Salesforce, IBM, and American Express are also among the weakest performers.

4. How many Dow Jones stocks are included in this ranking?

The ranking includes all 30 stocks in the supplied Dow Jones list. Companies are ordered from the highest to the lowest YTD return.

5. Which healthcare stocks are performing best in the Dow Jones?

Amgen leads the healthcare-related companies in the ranking with a 40.67% YTD gain. Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth Group are also among the top 10 performers.

6. Which technology stocks are performing well in the Dow Jones?

Apple, Cisco, Amazon, Microsoft, and NVIDIA have positive YTD returns in the supplied ranking. IBM and Salesforce, however, have recorded substantial declines.

7. What does YTD mean in stock market performance?

YTD stands for year-to-date. It measures the percentage change in a stock’s price from the beginning of the calendar year to a specified date.

8. What is the difference between YTD and 1-year returns?

YTD return measures performance since January 1 of the current year, while a one-year return measures performance over the preceding 12 months. The two measurements cover different periods.

9. Is the Dow Jones Industrial Average market-cap weighted?

No. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is price-weighted. Companies with higher share prices generally have a greater influence on the index’s movements than companies with lower share prices, regardless of their total market capitalization.

10. Is the Dow Jones a good indicator of the U.S. stock market?

The Dow Jones is an important benchmark that tracks 30 large U.S. companies across several industries. However, because it contains only 30 stocks and uses price weighting, investors often compare it with broader benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.

11. Should investors buy Dow Jones stocks with negative YTD returns?

Not automatically. A negative return may indicate an investment opportunity, but it can also reflect deteriorating business conditions or financial challenges. Investors should evaluate fundamentals, valuation, competitive positioning, and potential risks before investing.

12. Can the best-performing Dow Jones stocks continue rising?

Yes, stocks with strong historical returns can continue appreciating, but they can also experience corrections. Future performance depends on company results, valuation, economic conditions, and investor expectations.

Conclusion: The Best and Worst Performing Dow Jones Stocks in 2026

The 2026 Dow Jones stock performance ranking highlights significant differences among some of America’s largest publicly traded companies.

Amgen leads the supplied list with a 40.67% YTD return, followed by Chevron and Merck & Co. Coca-Cola, Travelers, Johnson & Johnson, Apple, and Cisco are also among the strongest performers.

At the other end of the ranking, Nike has experienced the largest decline, followed by Boeing, Salesforce, IBM, and American Express. Their negative returns demonstrate that even established blue-chip companies can face periods of significant stock market underperformance.

The comparison of YTD and one-year returns also highlights why investors should evaluate more than one performance metric when researching stocks.

Ultimately, the best-performing stocks are not automatically the best investment opportunities. A disciplined investment process should combine historical performance with fundamental analysis, valuation, industry research, and risk management.

 

Data reference date: November 6, 2026. This ranking is based on the supplied list of 30 Dow Jones stocks and their reported YTD and one-year percentage changes. Market prices and rankings can change over time.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should conduct their own research and consider their financial objectives and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.