The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.37%) rose 3.2% in August 2025, comfortably ahead of the broader S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.49%) 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.
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Microsoft (MSFT 1.83%) and Caterpillar (CAT -0.09%) lagged behind, with August drops of 4% or more. Meanwhile, health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group (UNH 0.56%) 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.
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.
2. Apple (up 11.8%)
iPhone maker Apple (AAPL 3.25%) 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 -0.16%) 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.
4. Home Depot (up 10.7%)
Home improvement retailer Home Depot (HD -0.37%) 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 -0.73%) 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.
