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What are the best US blue chip stocks of 2020?

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Looking to buy blue chips? These are the best performing so far this year.

Sponsored by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (IC Markets) AFSL 335692, a leading CFD provider across forex, stocks, and commodities. Trusted by traders worldwide. Trade with spreads as low as 0.0 pips.

Disclaimer: General information only. All forms of investments (in particular, trading CFDs, commodities & forex) carry significant risk, including the risk of losing more than the invested amounts, market volatility & liquidity risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Such activities are not suitable for most investors. Seek independent advice and consider the PDS and TMD on the provider's website before making any trades.

Blue chips are often hailed as the cream of the crop when it comes to investing in the stock market and the best bet for your money.

In reality, the term "blue chip" is pretty vague. The name is usually given to older companies that have a long and reliable track record of making profits. The idea is that while they're slower growing, they're less prone to major corrections.

For this reason, blue chips typically pay dividends and are considered less risky than other smaller stocks. Historically, they've been traditional financial institutions, such as banking and insurance firms.

However, the rule book is changing. With Internet and technology companies fast becoming the largest and most powerful companies in the world, newer and, therefore, more volatile companies are joining the ranks.



In Australia, the closest we have to an official list of blue chips is the S&P/ASX50 list, which is the 50 biggest companies on the ASX. Today, this is still dominated by banks and mining companies. However, technology-driven newcomers such as Afterpay are getting closer to the top.

In the US, the biggest listed companies are much more tech-heavy, with just 2 of the top 10 sitting outside of the technology and IT sectors. While blue chips tend to be slower moving, 2020 has seen some of the most well-established companies rally above and beyond the broader index. At the same time, the best performers aren't necessarily the most mainstream.

Below is a selection of the best-performing blue chip stocks listed in the US so far this year in order of stock performance. To be included, companies must be older than 10 years, have a market cap higher than $US50 billion and must pay a dividend.

Best performing US blue chips of 2020


1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA)

NVIDIA is a semiconductor business that manufactures graphics processing units commonly used in the gaming industry.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 112.70%
  • Market cap: US$312.261B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$0.6400
  • Founded: 1993


2. FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX)

FedEx is a US transportation, freight and logistics company with stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 57.89%
  • Market cap: US$63.92B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$2.6000
  • Founded: 1971


3. NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES)

NetEase isn't actually a US company; however, it is dual-listed on the NASDAQ and it meets the criteria for a blue chip stock. NetEase is a Chinese Internet company that operates and develops desktop and mobile gaming, email, e-commerce and advertising services.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 56.50%
  • Market cap: US$66.323B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$6.8800
  • Founded: 1997

4. Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD)

Barrick Gold is a Canadian company with mining operations around the world. It's included on the list because it's dual-listed on both the NYSE in the US and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 51.64%
  • Market cap: US$50.532B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$0.2054
  • Founded: 1983

5. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)

No explanation needed here. Apple is a multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in California. As of July 2020, it became the world's biggest publicly listed company with a market cap upwards of $US2 trillion.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 49.95%
  • Market cap: US$1.9T
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$0.7500
  • Founded: 1976


6. Newmont (NYSE: NEM)

Newmont Corporation is a gold mining company headquartered in Colorado and with gold mines located across Australia, North America, South America and Africa.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 46.54%
  • Market cap: US$50.955B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$0.5600
  • Founded: 1921

7. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM)

TSMC is a Taiwanese company that has been dual-listed on the NYSE. It is a semiconductor manufacturing and design company with clients that include Apple, NVIDIA and Advanced Micro Devices.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 38.71%
  • Market cap: US$417.946B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$1.2488
  • Founded: 1987

8. United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS)

United Parcel Service is a US package and delivery supply chain management company founded back in 1907.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 37.59%
  • Market cap: US$139.772B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$3.8400
  • Founded: 1907

9. Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI)

Activision Blizzard is on the young side for a blue chip stock; however, its launch was thanks to the merging of two well-established gaming companies in 2008: Activision and Vivendi Games. Today, it has grown to be one of the most successful video game companies in the world.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 37.01
  • Market cap: US$63.795B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$0.3700
  • Founded: 2008

10. Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR)

Progressive Corp is a US insurance company that specialises in automobile, motorcycle, boating and home insurance.

  • YTD performance (to 22 September): 34.49%
  • Market cap: US$55.292B
  • Dividends per share (FY): US$2.8140
  • Founded: 1937

How to invest in US blue chip stocks

To buy US blue chip stocks you'll need to open a brokerage account that offers access to the US market.

Since many blue chip stocks offer dividends, you'll want to check how your broker of choice handles these payments. Can you automatically reinvest dividends if you choose to? Will your broker immediately transfer all payments into your account?

Your other option is to trade US stocks through CFDs. These are derivative investment products that allow you to trade using leverage. When you trade stock CFDs, you don't ever own the underlying shares, instead you're betting on a stock's price movements (either up or down) by the way of a contract.

Because CFDs are leveraged, you can make and lose money much more quickly than you normally would trading shares directly, however this also makes them a lot riskier.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product on the provider's website.

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