Every year, investors and traders closely look at the various companies that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). This is a list of 30 of the biggest, most important U.S. companies, compiled by The Wall Street Journal. This year, several exciting companies are on the list that you may want to consider investing in. This blog post will highlight five of the best Dow Jones companies to watch this holiday season.
Nvidia (NVDA)
Nvidia (NVDA) is a technology company that provides graphics processing units (GPUs) and related software for gaming, professional graphics, and autonomous driving. The stock has been on a tear recently, with the shares up more than 36% since the beginning of the year.
This holiday season could be profitable for Nvidia investors. The company expects to report revenue of $2.27 billion this quarter, which would increase nearly 14% from last year’s period. Additionally, analysts at Baird believe that Nvidia’s gaming segment could see “strong” demand in the fourth quarter due to new console launches from Microsoft and Sony. This could result in an EPS of $0.93 per share, representing a 17% increase over last year’s earnings.
Given these positive factors, it’s worth considering Nvidia as your holiday stock pick this season.
Apple Inc. (AAPL)
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is one of the best Dow Jones Companies to watch this holiday season. The company has been doing well lately, with its stock price increasing by more than 20% over the past year. However, even with these recent gains, AAPL is still a relatively cheap stock, giving investors an excellent opportunity to profit from its future growth.
One reason for AAPL’s success is its strong product lineup. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were some of the best smartphones ever released, and the company continues to release new models each year. Apple also sells other products like iPods and iPads, which are used by a large number of people around the world.
Another reason for AAPL’s success is its strong cash flow generation. The company has significantly increased its cash flow over the past few years due in part to increased sales and profits. This will allow it to continue investing in new products and expanding into new markets.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is a global healthcare company with a long history of innovation. The company’s products include prescription drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, and animal health products. Merck also operates a leading research and development organization.
Investors should keep an eye on Merck this holiday season because the company is expected to report strong earnings growth. In the third quarter of 2017, revenue grew 13% year-over-year to $14.4 billion. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 16% to $1.64 billion. This performance was fueled by increased sales of legacy pharmaceutical products and new products in its Immuno-Oncology segment, including treatments for leukaemia and other cancers.
Looking ahead, Merck expects 2018 revenue growth between 6% and 8%. The company’s pipeline features several high-growth drug candidates currently being studied in clinical trials. These include medicines for cervical cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis.
Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
When it comes to finding the best stocks to own this holiday season, Pfizer Inc. (PFE) is a top contender.
The pharmaceutical giant has been on quite a roll in recent months, with its shares rallying more than 23%. This strong performance has helped fuel investor confidence and further drive up Pfizer’s stock price.
Nonetheless, there are some essential factors to keep in mind when investing in Pfizer. For one, the company faces some significant challenges overseas. Specifically, European sales have been sluggish lately, which could impact its overall performance.
Another critical factor to consider is Pfizer’s reliance on blockbuster drugs. If these products don’t sell as well as expected, profits could take a hit. However, with its strong balance sheet and solid dividend payout track record, I believe that Pfizer is still a desirable investment option for the coming year.
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (UNH)
On the heels of a solid third-quarter earnings report, UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (UNH) is now one of the best Dow Jones companies to watch this holiday season.
Focusing on its core healthcare businesses, UnitedHealth Group reported growth in profits and revenue in its third quarter. These results came amid heightened volatility in global markets, which suggests that its underlying business model remains solid.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter and beyond, management is confident its performance will continue to be strong thanks to robust patient demand and anticipated market growth. UnitedHealth Group anticipates an overall operating income of over $10 billion for 2017.
This news has sparked significant interest among investors, with UNH’s stock price climbing more than 5% following the release of its earnings report. Given that it is one of the largest healthcare providers in the world, investors are betting that UnitedHealth Group will continue to be a leading player in the industry for years to come.
Wells Fargo & Company, Inc. (WFC)
Wells Fargo & Company, Inc. (WFC) is a financial services company with over $1 trillion in assets under management. The company provides various banking and investment products and services to consumers and businesses in the United States. Wells Fargo has been involved in various controversies in the past, including accusations of fraud and violations of consumer banking laws. However, the company’s stock has benefited from its efforts to improve its image and profitability.
Given that Wells Fargo is one of the largest companies in the United States, investors may want to consider investing in it this holiday season. The company is expected to report earnings on December 15th, so investors can get a better sense of how well it is doing overall. In terms of dividends, Wells Fargo pays out an annual dividend of $2.90 per share and has raised its dividend yearly for the past decade. Wells Fargo could benefit from increased economic growth over time because it also has a strong track record of paying back debt.
Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is expected to report earnings on November 7th. The company’s recent performance has been impressive, with revenue and EPS increasing by over 20% in the third quarter of 2017. The outlook for fiscal 2018 looks encouraging, with EPS projected to grow by another 17%.
If you’re looking for a stock that will perform well shortly, Home Depot should be on your list.
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