Dow Jones Industrial Average Year in Review

There is no denying 2013 was a memorable year for the Dow Jones Industrial Index, and as a result, the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEArca: DIA).

Last year, the venerable 30-stock index post its largest ever annual point gain and its biggest yearly percentage increase since 1995, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Although the Dow has changed over the years to better reflect the diversified U.S. economy, it was the industrial sector that played a big part in the index’s 2013 upside. [2013’s Best Industrial ETF]

Industrials were the top-performing Dow sector last year with Boeing (NYSE: BA) contributing almost 444.5 points.  The Dow is a price-weighted index and Boeing is currently DIA’s fifth-largest holding, just ahead of Chevron (NYSE: CVX).

Last month, Dow members General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Boeing unveiled dividend increases. On Dec. 17, 3M (NYSE: MMM) boosted its dividend by a third while adding it could buy back up to $22 billion of shares through 2017. 3M, Boeing and United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) are three of DIA’s top-seven holdings. [Industrial ETFs Race Into 2014]

Overall, “industrials contributed the most to the DJIA in 2013, adding over 1,072 points. Financials and Consumer Services were the next in line, contributing ~704 and ~485 points respectively,” according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.

DJIA Point contributions by Industry

Chart Courtesy: S&P Dow Jones Indices