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Dow Jones in 1932

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 23.1% in 1932, from 77.90 at the end of 1931 to 59.93. Its highest close was 88.78 on Mar 8, and its lowest 41.22 on Jul 8. The biggest one-day fall was −8.4% on Aug 12 and the biggest rise +11.4% on Sep 21. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 14.3%.

Change in 1932
−23.1%
77.90 → 59.93
High
88.78
Mar 8
Low
41.22
Jul 8
After inflation
−14.3%
US CPI
Up days
138 of 302
longest run 5 up, 8 down
Below record
-84.3%
at the end of 1932

Dow Jones, daily closes 1932

Numbers mark the events below
466584JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec1Jan 5: Bear market low: 71.24, 39.0% below the peak.2Jan 22: President Hoover signs the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act.3Apr 5: Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 88.78 (March 8, 1932).4Jul 8: Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 41.22, its Great Depression low.5Jul 8: Bear market low: 41.22, 53.6% below the peak.6Aug 12: Biggest one-day fall of the year: −8.4%.7Sep 21: Biggest one-day rise of the year: +11.4%.8Oct 7: Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 79.93 (September 7, 1932).9Oct 31: Nevada becomes the first state to declare a statewide banking holiday.10Nov 8: Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats Herbert Hoover in the US presidential election.

Key Events in 1932

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

  1. 1
    Tuesday, January 5 From the data
    Bear market low: 71.24, 39.0% below the peak.
  2. 2
    Friday, January 22
    President Hoover signs the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act. Source
    Dow Jones: −5.5% that day · +2.8% a month later
  3. 3
    Tuesday, April 5 From the data
    Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 88.78 (March 8, 1932).
  4. 4
    Friday, July 8
    Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 41.22, its Great Depression low. Source
    Dow Jones: −1.4% that day · +31.4% a month later
  5. 5
    Friday, July 8 From the data
    Bear market low: 41.22, 53.6% below the peak.
  6. 6
    Friday, August 12 From the data
    Biggest one-day fall of the year: −8.4%.
  7. 7
    Wednesday, September 21 From the data
    Biggest one-day rise of the year: +11.4%.
  8. 8
    Friday, October 7 From the data
    Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 79.93 (September 7, 1932).
  9. 9
    Monday, October 31
    Nevada becomes the first state to declare a statewide banking holiday. Source
    Dow Jones: −0.3% that day · −5.3% a month later
  10. 10
    Tuesday, November 8
    Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats Herbert Hoover in the US presidential election. Source
    Dow Jones: −4.5% next trading day (Nov 9) · −13.5% a month later

Biggest days of 1932

Best daysWorst days
Sep 21+11.4%Aug 12−8.4%
Aug 3+9.5%Oct 5−7.2%
Feb 11+9.5%May 31−6.2%
Feb 13+9.2%Nov 23−5.8%
May 6+9.1%Sep 14−5.7%

Volatility: 48.9% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

MonthCloseChangeHighLow
Jan76.19−2.2%85.8871.24
Feb81.44+6.9%85.9871.80
Mar73.28−10.0%88.7873.28
Apr56.11−23.4%72.1855.93
May44.74−20.3%59.0144.74
Jun42.84−4.2%50.8842.84
Jul54.26+26.7%54.2641.22
Aug73.16+34.8%75.6153.16
Sep71.56−2.2%79.9365.06
Oct61.90−13.5%72.0958.47
Nov56.35−9.0%68.0456.35
Dec59.93+6.4%61.9355.83
1930193119321933193419351936193719381939

Dow Jones in 1932: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall in 1932?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 23.1% in 1932, from 77.90 at the end of 1931 to 59.93. Its highest close was 88.78 on Mar 8, and its lowest 41.22 on Jul 8. The biggest one-day fall was −8.4% on Aug 12 and the biggest rise +11.4% on Sep 21. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 14.3%.

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1932?

Highest: 88.78 on March 8, 1932. Lowest: 41.22 on July 8, 1932. It closed higher on 138 of 302 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on January 22, 1932?

President Hoover signs the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 5.5% that day, and was +2.8% 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.