Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks in Q1 2020: MSFT, WMT, INTC, JNJ, PG

UTC by Steve Muchoki · 4 min read
Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks in Q1 2020: MSFT, WMT, INTC, JNJ, PG
Photo: Pixabay

Top five Dow Jones stocks in Q1 include Microsoft (MSFT), Walmart (WMT), followed by Intel (INTC), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Procter & Gamble (PG).

Despite the harsh economic period, some of the Dow Jones companies have been withstanding the coronavirus pressure, outperforming the rest. The top 5 of them include Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG). However, it does not mean they were profitable in the first quarter, but rather, they were the least affected and highest performer at the same time.

Dow Jones Industrial Average Index has fallen over 23% in the first quarter of 2020. This is the worst quarter for the past four decades and at the same time the worst Q1 for a long period. However, based on the current situation where the novel coronavirus has been taking the world economy hostage, it did not catch most investors by surprise.

Microsoft (MSFT) Stock 

Microsoft began the year on a positive note, whereby its stock was continuing on the bull rally that started in the second quarter of 2013. The rise was not sustained as it hit the all-time high of $190 and rebounded strongly to hit $132 in less than a month. After finding a strong support level at around $132.62, it has risen in the past few weeks, recovering some of the Q1 losses. Now its price is $151.60 (-0.34%).

According to a post by Investors.com, Microsoft took the first position on the Dow Jones long list of companies. It also indicated that the company has been outperforming the S&P 500 Index. Microsoft stock has 99 ratings of the IBD composite ratings.

Walmart (WMT) Stock 

The American multinational corporation, which is a major contributor to the Dow Jones index fell by 4.4% in the first quarter. As a result, it earned the second runners up position amongst the rest of the Dow Jones composites.

The main reason for the company’s success in the Q1 has been attributed to the surge in demand as consumers stock up essentials amidst the coronavirus confusion. Despite the company having said it was projecting to add over 150,000 employees by May, its management confirmed that the coronavirus crisis will affect its earnings. Now WMY is at $113.91 (-0.20).

Intel (INTC) Stock 

The Dow Jones composite which specializes in electronic chips saw its stock market dip by 9.6% in the first quarter. This made it take the third position on the top five Dow Jones performers. The Intel stock has enjoyed a very strong composite rating of around 95%, besides, its healthy mix of earnings and stock market outperformance.

Despite the coronavirus impact on most stock markets, Intel has been able to operate on a relatively normal basis. At the time of writing, the stock was trading at $52.08 (+0.39%), having dropped from $56 in the past few days.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Stock 

The American multinational corporation, which specializes in medical devices and pharmaceutical products has been at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. One, it has donated 1 million surgical masks, medical devices to hospitals and are also working on a possible vaccine.

In the first quarter of 2020, its stock market slipped by 10.2%, whereby it has received a composite rating of 88. As a result, it has gained the fourth position in the Dow Jones long list of companies. Today, JNJ is 0.99% down, it is trading at $127.54.

Procter & Gamble (PG) Stock 

The company closed the top five Dow Jones stocks, after falling 12.1% in the first quarter of 2020. Since the company specializes in delivering personal health care and hygienic products that are much needed at this period, its stock has been able to withstand the falling pressure.

Its stock market price has been averaging between $124 and $96 in the past two months. At the time of writing, it was trading at $111.64 (+2.11%), however, the downward trend was more dominant.

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