The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.65%) rose 3.2% in August 2025, comfortably ahead of the broader S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.58%) index, which gained 1.9% in the same period. But the Dow's impressive performance was built on a mixed bag of specific stock performances.
Image source: Getty Images.
Microsoft (MSFT 1.36%) and Caterpillar (CAT +4.10%) lagged behind, with August drops of 4% or more. Meanwhile, health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group (UNH 1.09%) outweighed those underperformers with an index-leading 24.2% price gain.
Let's check out the rest of the top-performing Dow Jones stocks last month.
NYSE: UNH
Key Data Points
1. UnitedHealth Group (up 24.2%)
UnitedHealth took a tumble with a weak earnings report at the end of July, but bounced back in August. The stock soared on Aug. 15, as Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reported a brand-new position of 5 million shares in the stock. The $3.3 billion merger with home health specialist Amedisys was completed on the same day, adding fuel to the fires. All told, UnitedHealth's stock moved 0.7% lower across the two-month span of July and August.
NASDAQ: AAPL
Key Data Points
2. Apple (up 11.8%)
iPhone maker Apple (AAPL 0.34%) surged 12% in the first week of August. The company addressed tariff concerns by expanding its domestic manufacturing commitments. The four-year commitment of an additional $100 billion includes partnerships with Texas Instruments and Corning.
3. American Express (up 10.7%)
Credit services giant American Express (AXP +1.84%) sprinted higher by landing several valuable sporting sponsorships in the Miami area. The deals include the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Dolphins football team.
NYSE: HD
Key Data Points
4. Home Depot (up 10.7%)
Home improvement retailer Home Depot (HD 2.28%) reported modest Q2 results last month. The stock still rose; management said that consumers are just delaying their big-ticket home improvement projects. The financial results should improve over time.
5. Sherwin-Williams (up 10.6%)
Paint retailer Sherwin-Williams (SHW 2.02%) followed the same themes as Home Depot. Instead of an earnings report, the global company refinanced its credit facilities with better terms in Canada and Europe.
