For many investors, the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 1.51%) are the focal point of their investing process. These companies are scattered across several major market sectors, and they tend to be the leaders in their respective industries.

With earnings season in full bloom, several Dow Jones stocks reported their latest financial results. Verizon Communications (VZ 2.03%), 3M (MMM 1.98%), and Coca-Cola (KO 1.55%) all performed well enough to give their shareholders a nice boost on Tuesday morning. Here's the latest from these three industry leaders, with some insight into why their shares moved higher.

Verizon tries to turn the tide

Shares of Verizon Communications climbed nearly 5% in premarket trading early Tuesday. The telecommunications giant's third-quarter financial report showed that its business is in better shape than many had feared.

To be clear, Verizon's numbers weren't all pretty. Operating revenue of $33.3 billion was down 2.6% from the year-ago quarter. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.22, compared to $1.32 per share in the third quarter of 2022.

However, investors were pleased to see 434,000 net broadband subscriber additions, along with 581,000 retail postpaid wireless subscriber additions. Moreover, Verizon increased its guidance for free cash flow for the full year, now expecting more than $18 billion, up $1 billion from its previous projection.

All in all, Verizon sees itself earning between $4.55 and $4.85 per share in 2023. With the stock around $33 per share, value investors can see the potential benefits of Verizon's stock despite the debt-related challenges it faces.

3M gives better guidance

3M shares gained almost 5% in premarket trading. Investors liked the boost that the manufacturing company made to its projections for the rest of 2023.

3M reported in its third-quarter financial release that its revenue dropped 3.6% year over year to $8.3 billion. However, margins expanded, and that helped push adjusted earnings higher by 3% to $2.68 per share.

For 2023, 3M now believes it will earn between $8.95 and $9.15 per share, up from a previous range of $8.60 to $9.10 per share. Even with revenue guidance at the lower end of its past projections, 3M sees adjusted operating cash flow roughly $600 million higher than it did before.

3M has had to deal with considerable legal uncertainty lately, but settlement efforts are bringing some clarity to its long-term financial situation. Shareholders hope that the worst is over for 3M and that the company can start bringing its spirit of innovation back to the forefront.

Coke is it again

Bringing up the rear, Coca-Cola shares rose almost 3%. Investors liked both the soft drink giant's third-quarter results and its upgraded guidance for the rest of 2023.

Coca-Cola saw sales climb 8% year over year to $12 billion. Unit case volume was up 2% globally, but most of the gains came from the company's pricing power. Adjusted earnings of $0.74 per share were up 7% from year-ago levels and were better than most investors had expected.

In addition, Coca-Cola now believes it will grow organic sales by 10% to 11% in 2023. Despite an adverse currency headwind of roughly 6 percentage points, the beverage king still sees adjusted earnings per share rising between 7% and 8% for the full year.

Investors will still have to wait to see what Coca-Cola sees in store for 2024. Nevertheless, the company is building positive momentum, and that's giving shareholders a lot more comfort about what the coming year could bring.