The Dow Jones Industrial Average returned 12.67% in 2025. Using a better calculation including dividend reinvestment, the Dow Jones returned 14.92%.
2025 Dow Jones Industrial Average return: Steady as she goes
The above calculation is based on a theoretical trade at open on January 2nd, 2025 and a sale at close on December 31, 2025. That is, of course, impossible to time... but I think you get the idea!
If you prefer the December 31, 2024 close price, you can find it in the table, below.
Dow Jones 2025 Index Returns
| Price Based On | 2025 Begin | Dec 31 Close | Return |
| Jan 2 Open | 42,660.09 | 48,063.29 | 12.67% |
| Dec 31 Close | 42,544.22 | 48,063.29 | 12.97% |
Dow Jones 2025 Total Return Index Returns
| Price Based On | 2025 Begin | Dec 31 Close | Return |
| Dec 31 Close* | 106,513.53 | 122,407.21 | 14.92% |
*S&P Dow Jones Indices doesn't report a different price between the 2024 close and 2025 open.
The Dow Jones tends to include mature companies which pay more of their earnings out in dividends. It's an active index, and the index committee constantly swaps out firms. The ~2.3% dividend boost (from 12.67% to 14.92%) reflects the Dow's dividend-heavier composition compared to the tech-heavy NASDAQ.
Investing in the Dow Jones Price-Weighted Stock Index
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is price-weighted. Price-weighted indices take the trading price of the underlying company shares times an "individual stock factor". Most stock indices nowadays are market capitalization weighted, (see the 2025 S&P 500 Return).
Price weighting is not as good as market capitalization weighting. But, it does track large cap companies well if indices are constructed well, with components that represent the broader market.
Source on the 2025 Dow Jones Industrial Average Return Calculations
Dow Jones Indices is owned by S&P Dow Jones Indices. They run both the Dow Jones Total Return and Price Indices.
Historically, here on DQYDJ we have gone pretty far with our content – both in investing, and with some Dow Jones specific posts and tools:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend Reinvestment Calculator
Estimate DJIA performance since 1896 - Dow Jones Industrial Average Historical Return Calculator
Summary statistics on the DJIA
See DJIA returns in other years:
