Dow Jones in 1908

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 46.6% in 1908, from 58.75 at the end of 1907 to 86.15. Its highest close was 88.38 on Nov 13, and its lowest 58.62 on Feb 13. The biggest one-day fall was −2.2% on Dec 17 and the biggest rise +2.8% on Jan 9. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 41.9%.

Change in 1908

+46.6%

58.75 → 86.15

High

88.38

Nov 13

Low

58.62

Feb 13

After inflation

+41.9%

US CPI

Up days

174 of 301

longest run 7 up, 5 down

Below record

-16.4%

at the end of 1908

Dow Jones, daily closes 1908

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1908

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

1
Thursday, January 9 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.8%.
2
Wednesday, September 16

William C. Durant founds the company that becomes General Motors. Source

Dow Jones: −1.5% that day · −1.0% a month later
3
Thursday, October 1

Ford launches the Model T at $850. Source

Dow Jones: −0.5% that day · +3.2% a month later
4
Tuesday, November 3

William Howard Taft wins the US presidential election. Source

Dow Jones: +2.4% next trading day (Nov 4) · +5.7% a month later
5
Thursday, December 17 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −2.2%.

Biggest days of 1908

Best days		Worst days
Jan 9	+2.8%	Dec 17	−2.2%
Mar 7	+2.5%	Jan 20	−2.0%
Nov 4	+2.4%	Aug 14	−1.9%
Sep 23	+2.3%	Jan 16	−1.9%
Jun 1	+2.2%	Feb 10	−1.8%

Volatility: 14.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	62.70	+6.7%	65.84	59.61
Feb	60.54	−3.4%	62.14	58.62
Mar	67.51	+11.5%	69.92	60.97
Apr	69.55	+3.0%	70.29	67.04
May	72.76	+4.6%	75.12	69.78
Jun	72.59	−0.2%	74.38	71.70
Jul	80.34	+10.7%	80.34	72.76
Aug	84.66	+5.4%	85.40	80.57
Sep	79.93	−5.6%	84.55	77.07
Oct	82.53	+3.3%	83.55	79.50
Nov	87.30	+5.8%	88.38	82.90
Dec	86.15	−1.3%	87.67	83.46

1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

Dow Jones in 1908: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1908?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1908?

Highest: 88.38 on November 13, 1908. Lowest: 58.62 on February 13, 1908. It closed higher on 174 of 301 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on November 3, 1908?

William Howard Taft wins the US presidential election. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.4% on the next trading day (November 4, 1908), and was +5.7% 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.