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.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-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.
-
Strategies to Optimize Your Social Security BenefitsTo maximize what you can collect, it’s crucial to know when you can file, how delaying filing affects your checks and the income limit if you’re still working.
-
Don’t Forget to Update Beneficiaries After a Gray DivorceSome states automatically revoke a former spouse as a beneficiary on some accounts. Waivers can be used, too. Best not to leave it up to your state, though.
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Slips After Travelers' Earnings MissThe property and casualty insurer posted a bottom-line miss as catastrophe losses spiked.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Stabilize After Powell's Rate-Cut WarningThe main indexes temporarily tumbled after Fed Chair Powell said interest rates could stay higher for longer.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Reverse Lower as Treasury Yields SpikeA good-news-is-bad-news retail sales report lowered rate-cut expectations and caused government bond yields to surge.
-
Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Leads as Magnificent 7 Stocks RiseStrength in several mega-cap tech and communication services stocks kept the main indexes higher Thursday.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Tumble After a Hot Inflation PrintEquities retreated after inflation data called the Fed's rate-cut plans into question.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks End Mixed Ahead of Key Inflation ReadingEquities struggled before tomorrow's big Consumer Price Index report.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Closed Mixed in Choppy TradingVolatility returned as market participants adjusted their expectations for rate cuts.
-
How To Invest Your Tax ReturnWhen thinking about how to invest your tax return, prioritize your financial health over aggressive – and risky – ideas like bitcoin.
