The Dow Jones Industrial Average might have taken its lumps in 2020, but it ultimately exited the year better for the experience. The average closed out the year with a 7.3% gain, though several stocks obviously did better than that.
Others, not so much.
Apple (AAPL) was the clear leader in the clubhouse, finishing with an 82.3% total return (price plus dividends) thanks in large part to hope that the iPhone 12 would start a new iPhone "supercycle." So far, based on Wedbush channel checks, those hopes appear to be panning out.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Microsoft (MSFT, +42.5% in 2020), like many tech stocks, was resilient through the market downturn because of the necessity of its digital offerings amid a shift to workers having to work from home. And Nike (NKE, +41.0% in 2020) recovered much more vigorously than many other apparel stocks thanks in large part to success in its digital direct-to-consumer offerings.
And while COVID-19 would seem like a boon to pharmacy stocks such as Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA, -29.4% in 2020), that wasn't the case. Increased cleaning costs, an uptake in lower-margin goods and a staggering decline in foot traffic to its U.K. Boots stores weighed on shares. So too did Amazon.com's (AMZN) official November announcement of a full-service online service, Amazon Pharmacy.
The worst Dow stock of 2020, however, was Boeing (BA, -33.9% in 2020), which started the year still struggling to get its 737-Max aircraft line back in the air after a pair of high-profile crashes. It struggled further still after COVID caused widespread global flight cancellations and crushed demand for air travel once flights were allowed to resume.
You can check out the table below for a full look at the best and worst Dow performers in 2020, based on their total returns. Data and table provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
-
My $1.2 million vacation home has a $360K mortgage. I don't need my upcoming $45K RMD. Should I use it to pay down the mortgage?We asked wealth planners for advice.
-
Four Strategies for Older Adults to Cut Property TaxesBefore you settle your next property tax bill, make sure you're taking full advantage of these tax breaks for older homeowners across the US.
-
Dow Trims Its Loss to 498 Points: Stock Market TodayMarkets are wondering more and more about returns on the enormous amounts of capital hyperscalers are investing in AI.
-
Dow Falls 557 Points to Start NVDA Week: Stock Market TodayThe Oracle of Omaha saw growth and value in certain corners of the stock market during the third quarter.
-
Dow Dives 797 Points as Government Opens: Stock Market TodayThe process of pricing and re-pricing realities old and new never stops, and next week promises to be at least as exciting as this week.
-
5 Core Stocks Every Investor Should Own In 2026 and BeyondCore stocks are solid, long-term investments that provide stable returns and steady growth within your portfolio. Here are 5 we like.
-
Dow Climbs 327 Points, Crosses 48,000: Stock Market TodayMarkets are pricing the end of the longest government shutdown in history – and another solid set of quarterly earnings.
-
Dow Climbs 559 Points to Hit a New High: Stock Market TodayThe rotation out of tech stocks resumed Tuesday, with buying seen in more defensive corners of the market.
-
Risk Is Off Again, Dow Falls 397 Points: Stock Market TodayMarket participants are weighing still-solid earnings against both expectations and an increasingly opaque economic picture.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Home Depot Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayHome Depot stock has been a buy-and-hold banger for truly long-term investors.
