March 16, 2025 – 1:54 PM PDT
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has experienced significant turbulence in recent weeks, driven by economic uncertainty, shifting trade policies, and mixed corporate performances. As of mid-March 2025, the index has hovered near correction territory, down 9.3% from its December peak, reflecting broader market concerns over tariffs and slowing growth. Against this backdrop, several Dow components have stood out for their volatility, while others are poised to capture investor attention in the upcoming week. Here’s a breakdown of the stocks making waves and those worth watching.
Volatile Movers in Recent Weeks
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Intel (INTC)
Intel has been a rollercoaster ride for investors lately. The chipmaker’s stock surged 15% on March 12 after announcing industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, a move seen as a potential turnaround for the struggling company. However, this gain followed weeks of volatility as Intel grappled with competitive pressures and broader tech sector sell-offs tied to tariff fears. With its exposure to global supply chains, Intel’s recent swings highlight its sensitivity to trade policy shifts, making it one of the Dow’s more unpredictable names. -
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)
Walgreens has seen sharp fluctuations, climbing 5.6% on March 4 amid reports of a potential $10 billion buyout by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. This spike came after a tough year, with the stock losing nearly half its value over the past 12 months due to store closures and weak earnings. The prospect of going private has injected volatility, as investors weigh the deal’s likelihood against broader retail sector challenges, including tariff-related cost pressures. -
UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
UnitedHealth has been a notable decliner, contributing to the Dow’s rough patch. The healthcare giant saw steep drops in late February, part of a broader sell-off that erased significant gains from earlier in the year. Economic uncertainty and potential policy shifts under the Trump administration have rattled healthcare stocks, with UnitedHealth’s size and influence amplifying its volatility within the index.
Stocks to Watch This Week
As the market heads into the week of March 17, several Dow stocks could see heightened activity based on upcoming events and ongoing trends:
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Nvidia (NVDA)
While not a Dow component, Nvidia’s influence on the broader market—and its ties to Dow tech names like Intel—makes it a critical watch. The company kicks off its GPU Technology Conference on March 17 in San Jose, California, with CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote on Tuesday expected to unveil updates on AI chips, including the Blackwell Ultra GB300 family. Nvidia’s stock soared 5% on March 14, helping lift tech sentiment, but its volatile run (down 14% from its December high) suggests any surprises could ripple through the Dow, particularly to Intel and other tech-adjacent firms. -
Goldman Sachs (GS)
Financials have been under pressure, with banks leading declines on March 4 amid tariff and economic growth worries. Goldman Sachs, a Dow heavyweight, could see movement this week as investors parse the latest on trade policies and Federal Reserve signals. Goldman recently downgraded its Q1 growth forecast, citing tariffs, which may keep its stock in focus as markets assess the financial sector’s resilience. -
Home Depot (HD)
Home Depot has been a relative bright spot, boosting the Dow on days when tech faltered, such as February 25. With consumer sentiment hitting a low not seen since late 2022 (per University of Michigan data released March 14), the retailer’s performance could signal how tariff-driven inflation fears are affecting discretionary spending. Analysts expect conservative guidance when Home Depot reports later this year, but any early chatter this week could sway its stock.
Market Context and Outlook
The Dow’s recent volatility—exemplified by a 890-point drop on March 10 and a 674-point rebound on March 14—underscores the push-and-pull between tariff fears and pockets of optimism. President Trump’s trade policies, including a 50% tariff hike on Canadian steel and aluminum set for March 19, continue to loom large, though a lack of new tariff headlines on March 14 sparked a rally. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s next moves, potentially signaled in economic data this week like industrial production (March 18) and the FOMC rate decision (March 19), could further sway the index.
Investors are also eyeing broader trends. Defensive sectors like healthcare and financials have outperformed tech and growth stocks year-to-date, a shift that could favor Dow names like UnitedHealth and Goldman Sachs if volatility persists. However, the index’s 3.1% weekly loss ending March 14—its worst since March 2023—suggests caution remains the watchword.
Takeaway
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is navigating choppy waters, with stocks like Intel, Walgreens, and UnitedHealth reflecting the market’s wild swings. Looking ahead, Nvidia’s conference, Goldman Sachs’ economic sensitivity, and Home Depot’s consumer pulse could drive the narrative. As trade and monetary policy uncertainties linger, these stocks offer a lens into where the Dow—and the broader market—might head next. Investors would do well to stay nimble in the week ahead.
