It's been a team effort pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +2.85%) to a fresh all-time high today. With less than two hours left in the trading day, 27 of the 30 Dow components are moving higher.
There are plenty of winners today, but let's go over four Dow stocks that are well positioned to continue to head higher beyond today's fireworks.
Disney (DIS +3.55%)
This family entertainment giant is also hitting a new all-time high today, up 1% to 56.40 as of 2 p.m. The company behind ABC, ESPN, and a growing arsenal of theatrically proficient characters continues to hit on nearly all cylinders. Theme park attendance is spiking. Advertisers are paying top dollar to watch ESPN viewers. Just wait until Disney begins monetizing its recently acquired Star Wars franchise.
Home Depot (HD +5.40%)
The housing bubble got us into a big mess a few years ago, but now the long-awaited recovery is digging us out. The country's leading home-improvement chain has plenty to gain as home prices inch higher. Homeowners will feel more comfortable sprucing up their homes, letting go of fears that the banks will take over properties that now may actually be worth more than their mortgages. Home Depot may be missing out on the party today, slipping just below breakeven, but the future looks bright.
Cisco Systems (CSCO +3.64%)
One of the Dow's biggest laggards during the downturn has bounced back in a major way. Up 2.1% to $21.17, Cisco is pocket change away from a fresh 52-week high, and the networking giant should thrive in an economic recovery where Corporate America is ready to invest in technology infrastructure again.
American Express (AXP +3.08%)
The financial-services behemoth is hitting highs last seen in the summer of 2007 today, up 2.2% to $64.30. As consumers feel more confident in spending and traveling, American Express stands to benefit. Despite the new multiyear high, the shares are fetching just 12 times next year's projected profitability. That's a "don't leave home without it" bargain for one of the more consistent performers in financial services.
The Dow rally may or may not continue, but these four stocks appear ready to do everything they can to keep the new highs coming.
