The 3 Best Dow Stocks to Buy in August 2024 | Markets

The Dow Jones is one of the oldest benchmarks in investing. Introduced in 1896, the index remains a popular benchmark for measuring the economy. There’s certainly more to measuring the economy than a single benchmark, but investors have used it as a gauge for many years.

The index has undergone many changes since its introduction in 1896. It originally consisted of 12 companies and was expanded to 30 companies in 1928. Some of the 1928 Dow Jones companies are still in business, while others are corporate giants of the past.

A closer look at the current Dow Jones holdings can reveal several opportunities to increase your return. That makes sense. The index has gained roughly 50% over the past five years, and it can’t achieve those gains with a bad portfolio. However, some Dow stocks are better than others. These are some of the best Dow stocks to consider.

American Express (AXP)

People continue to buy goods and services regardless of the economy. Many people turn to credit and debit cards to make those purchases, much to the benefit of American Express (NYSE:AXP). The credit and debit card firm has delivered a 23% year-to-date gain and has surged by more than 85% over the past five years. The stock has a 17 P/E ratio and offers a 1.21%…