Dow Jones in 1900

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 7.0% in 1900, from 66.08 at the end of 1899 to 70.71. Its highest close was 71.04 on Dec 27, and its lowest 52.96 on Sep 24. The biggest one-day fall was −4.4% on Apr 16 and the biggest rise +3.3% on Nov 7. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 11.1%.

Change in 1900

+7.0%

66.08 → 70.71

High

71.04

Dec 27

Low

52.96

Sep 24

After inflation

+11.1%

US CPI

Up days

152 of 300

longest run 9 up, 6 down

Below record

-8.9%

at the end of 1900

Dow Jones, daily closes 1900

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1900

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

1
Wednesday, March 14

The Gold Standard Act is signed, fixing the dollar at 25.8 grains of 90% gold (about $20.67/oz). Source

Dow Jones: −1.4% that day · +5.2% a month later
2
Monday, April 16 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −4.4%.
3
Wednesday, June 20

The Boxer siege of the foreign legations in Beijing begins. Source

Dow Jones: −1.3% that day · +1.5% a month later
4
Monday, September 24 From the data

Bear market low: 52.96, 31.8% below the peak.
5
Tuesday, November 6

William McKinley is re-elected US president, defeating William Jennings Bryan. Source

Dow Jones: +3.3% next trading day (Nov 7) · +9.0% a month later

Biggest days of 1900

Best days		Worst days
Nov 7	+3.3%	Apr 16	−4.4%
Jan 2	+3.1%	Apr 21	−2.8%
Mar 12	+2.6%	Mar 2	−2.6%
Jan 12	+2.6%	May 11	−2.5%
Jan 30	+2.5%	Nov 13	−2.4%

Volatility: 17.0% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	66.13	+0.1%	68.13	63.27
Feb	63.96	−3.3%	68.36	63.35
Mar	66.02	+3.2%	66.02	61.11
Apr	61.33	−7.1%	66.15	60.47
May	59.10	−3.6%	61.36	56.62
Jun	54.93	−7.1%	59.38	53.68
Jul	56.80	+3.4%	59.02	55.48
Aug	57.81	+1.8%	58.90	57.06
Sep	54.27	−6.1%	58.58	52.96
Oct	59.04	+8.8%	60.79	54.52
Nov	66.59	+12.8%	69.07	59.18
Dec	70.71	+6.2%	71.04	63.98

1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

Dow Jones in 1900: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1900?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1900?

Highest: 71.04 on December 27, 1900. Lowest: 52.96 on September 24, 1900. It closed higher on 152 of 300 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on November 6, 1900?

William McKinley is re-elected US president, defeating William Jennings Bryan. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.3% on the next trading day (November 7, 1900), and was +9.0% a month later.

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.