Investors watch the stocks on a day-to-day basis on Dow Jones Industrial Average because of its authenticity and potential. Presently, the trends in the market show mixed performances of leading stocks.
Present DJIA Performance
It finished the session at 43,914.12 on December 12, 2024. The Dow index dropped by 234.44 points, or -0.53%. On the day, the range was 43,903.27-44,208.60. Compared to a year ago, the index has increased enormously. From a low of 52 weeks ago at 37,051.52 it had jumped to a high of 45,073.63.
Best Movers to Watch
Here are some DJIA stocks that gained on the day,
Coca-Cola Co.
- Close Price: $63.84
- Percent Change: +1.20%
The constant demand and market presence drive the growth of Coca-Cola. It is a safe stock for investors in uncertain times.
Merck & Co. Inc.
- Close Price: $101.25
- Percent Change: +1.50%
Merck’s pharmaceutical pipeline continues to produce impressive results. Its steady growth boosts long-term investors’ confidence.
Boeing Co.
- Close Price: $167.75
- Percent Change: +1.08%
The recovery of Boeing from its past issues is positive. The increase in aircraft demand lifts its prospects.
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)
- Close Price: $232.26
- Percent Change: +0.93%
IBM is paying off on its focus on cloud computing and AI. It remains a good choice for technology-focused investors.
Salesforce Inc.
- Close Price: $358.03
- Percent Change: +0.90%
Salesforce continues to dominate the CRM market. Its innovative strategies are helping it grow steadily.
Stocks Showing Modest Gains
Several other stocks made slight advances:
- Apple Inc.: Up 0.60% to $247.96.
- Cisco Systems Inc.: Up 0.44% to $58.85.
- Walt Disney Co.: Up 0.25% to $114.90.
- Amgen Inc.: Up 0.24% to $274.06.
These companies also showed strength in the face of market pressure.
Biggest Decliners to Watch
Some of the stocks within DJIA declined considerably.
UnitedHealth Group Inc.
- Current Price: $515.76
- Change: -3.33%
UnitedHealth had the biggest tumble. The investors are concerned given the surging healthcare bill and uncertainty in policy issues.
Caterpillar Inc.
- Current Price: $380.78
- Change: -2.08%
Caterpillar lost as its heavy machinery demand slowdown was noticed across geographies. Economic insecurity hurts its prospects.
Home Depot Inc.
- Current Price: $414.42
- Change: -1.65%
Higher mortgage rates impact the housing market. This impacted Home Depot’s bottom line quite a bit.
NVIDIA Corp.
- Current Price: $137.34
- Change: -1.41%
AI growth was strong, but profit-taking in NVIDIA. The company has recently touched all-time highs, and investors are being cautious.
Sherwin-Williams Co.
- Current Price: $366.85
- Change: -1.37%
Slower activity in the housing market was also a drag on demand for paint and coatings. Sherwin-Williams Co. fell.
Market
Overall market went down with bigger economic fear. Nasdaq Composite plummeted 0.66% to 19,902.84. S&P 500 Index lowered 0.54% to 6,051.25.
Asian and European markets decline too. For instance
- Hang Seng Index: Down 1.42%.
- Nikkei 225: Down 1.08%.
- STOXX Europe 600 Index: Down 0.14%.
Economic uncertainty and mixed data have been weighing in on the sentiments of investors across the globe.
Why to Track DJIA Stocks?
DJIA tracks a wide variety of sectors ranging from technology to healthcare. These stocks allow the investors to gauge the larger trend in the market. Important sectors like healthcare, technology, and consumer goods are operating on different planes.
Some Examples
Healthcare
- Merck and Amgen are rising while UnitedHealth lags.
Technology
- IBM and Salesforce are rising, and NVIDIA is mixed.
Consumer Goods
- Coca-Cola is flat, and Home Depot is falling.
What’s Next
Analysts suggest a conservative near-term view. Watch for:
- Economic conditions worldwide.
- Corporate earnings releases.
- Inflation numbers and Fed interest rate moves.
- Coca-Cola and Merck are still a good choice. Defensive stocks like Procter & Gamble and Visa are stable. Investors should be aware of the dips and buy at those times.
Conclusion
The DJIA closed down on December 12, 2024, but significant stocks are still holding there. Positive gains of Coca-Cola, Merck, and IBM are present. UnitedHealth and Caterpillar’s declines reflect the ongoing challenges that need to be addressed.
Sector trends and company fundamentals are what investors should look into. The DJIA stocks are watched to ride the market volatility and find possible opportunities. Being informed would help make smart investment decisions.
