The 5 Best Dow Stocks So Far In 2015 - Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is off to a rough start in 2015. Over two weeks into the year, it is down 1.75 percent, and half of its 30 components share prices have dropped during that span. However, there have been a few bright spots for the Dow so far this year. Here are the five best-performing Dow stocks of 2015:

5. Walt Disney Co DIS

Disney’s stock has bucked the trend so far in 2015, rising 1.1 percent on the year. Despite a 5 percent decline in box office revenue in 2014, Disney’s upcoming 2015 blockbusters "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" promise to be two of the year’s biggest

movie events

4. Verizon Communications Inc. VZ

Verizon’s stock is up 2.6 percent so far in 2015. The

telecom sector

has many opportunities for growth in 2015, including

cloud

-managed WiFi and expanded high-speed service to small and mid-sized businesses. Investors love the company’s 4.6 percent dividend, and Verizon’s stock underperformed the market by a wide margin in 2014.

3. UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH

UnitedHealth stock is already up 4.6 percent since New Year's Day. With continued benefits from the institution of

The Affordable Care Act

and the potential for international expansion, UnitedHealth is poised for a big year in 2015. UnitedHealth reports Q4 earnings later this week.

2. Pfizer Inc. PFE

Pfizer stock is already up 5.3 percent in 2015. FDA approval of Pfizer’s breast cancer drug

Palbociclib

could come this year, and the company’s strong dividend and aggressive buyback history are appealing to investors. The company’s Q4 earnings are scheduled for release January 27.

1. Merck & Co., Inc. MRK

Merck takes the honor of the top-performing Dow stock in the early days of 2015. Despite the down market, Merck stock is up an incredible 11 percent since the turn of the calendar. Merck recently announced the acquisition of

Cubist Pharmaceuticals IncCBST

, as well as intentions to apply for

expanded use

of its anti-cancer drug

Keytruda

. Clearly, investors have seen Merck’s recent actions as a positive and are expecting big things from the company in 2015.

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