Dow Jones in 1897

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.2% in 1897, from 40.45 at the end of 1896 to 49.41. Its highest close was 55.82 on Sep 10 — a record that stood until August 5, 1898, and its lowest 38.49 on Apr 19. The biggest one-day fall was −3.9% on Oct 12 and the biggest rise +3.0% on Aug 31. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 22.2%.

Change in 1897

+22.2%

40.45 → 49.41

High

55.82

Sep 10

Low

38.49

Apr 19

After inflation

+22.2%

US CPI

Up days

164 of 302

longest run 14 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1897

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1897

What happened, and how the Dow Jones moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.

1
Thursday, March 4

William McKinley is inaugurated as the 25th US president. Source

Dow Jones: −1.9% that day · −6.2% a month later
2
Monday, July 12 From the data

Dow Jones sets the first of 29 record closing highs this year, at 45.05.
3
Saturday, July 24

The Dingley Tariff Act is enacted, raising US import duties. Source

Dow Jones: +0.1% that day · +7.7% a month later
4
Tuesday, August 3 From the data

Dow Jones closes above 50 for the first time (50.10).
5
Tuesday, August 31 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.0%.
6
Friday, September 10 From the data

Last record close of the year: 55.82.
7
Tuesday, October 12 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.9%.

Biggest days of 1897

Best days		Worst days
Aug 31	+3.0%	Oct 12	−3.9%
Feb 26	+2.7%	Sep 21	−3.9%
Aug 3	+2.6%	Nov 5	−3.3%
Jun 28	+2.1%	Nov 3	−2.9%
Jul 19	+2.0%	Sep 24	−2.1%

Volatility: 15.9% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	42.56	+5.2%	43.25	40.37
Feb	41.71	−2.0%	42.38	39.72
Mar	39.47	−5.4%	42.29	39.13
Apr	38.96	−1.3%	40.43	38.49
May	39.91	+2.4%	39.95	38.67
Jun	44.10	+10.5%	44.61	40.01
Jul	47.88	+8.6%	47.95	43.60
Aug	54.81	+14.5%	54.81	48.84
Sep	50.98	−7.0%	55.82	50.98
Oct	49.03	−3.8%	52.66	48.42
Nov	47.46	−3.2%	49.11	45.65
Dec	49.41	+4.1%	49.81	48.14

1896 1897 1898 1899

Dow Jones in 1897: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1897?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1897?

Highest: 55.82 on September 10, 1897. Lowest: 38.49 on April 19, 1897. It closed higher on 164 of 302 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on March 4, 1897?

William McKinley is inaugurated as the 25th US president. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.9% that day, and was −6.2% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1897?

Yes — 29 record closing highs, the last at 55.82 on September 10, 1897.

Data: Daily closes since 26 May 1896. Saturday sessions were held until 1952. The NYSE was closed from 31 Jul to 11 Dec 1914. Price index: dividends are not included. Inflation: US CPI-U. Events marked "From the data" are found automatically from the closing prices; the others are researched, with the source linked. Not investment advice.