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Dow Jones in 1956

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.3% in 1956, from 488.40 at the end of 1955 to 499.47. Its highest close was 521.05 on Apr 6 — a record that stood until September 15, 1958, and its lowest 462.35 on Jan 23. The biggest one-day fall was −1.6% on Apr 10 and the biggest rise +1.9% on May 29. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 0.7%.

Change in 1956
+2.3%
488.40 → 499.47
High
521.05
Apr 6
Low
462.35
Jan 23
After inflation
−0.7%
US CPI
Up days
126 of 251
longest run 7 up, 8 down
Record highs
15
closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1956

Numbers mark the events below
468492516previous recordJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec1Mar 2: sets the first of 15 record closing highs this year, at 488.84.2Mar 12: closes above 500 for the first time (500.24).3Apr 6: Last record close of the year: 521.05.4Apr 10: Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.6%.5May 9: President Eisenhower signs the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.6May 29: Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.9%.7Jul 26: Egyptian President Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal.8Oct 29: Israel invades the Sinai, starting the Suez Crisis.9Oct 31: British and French air attacks on Egypt begin.

Key Events in 1956

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

  1. 1
    Friday, March 2 From the data
    sets the first of 15 record closing highs this year, at 488.84.
  2. 2
    Monday, March 12 From the data
    closes above 500 for the first time (500.24).
  3. 3
    Friday, April 6 From the data
    Last record close of the year: 521.05.
  4. 4
    Tuesday, April 10 From the data
    Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.6%.
  5. 5
    Wednesday, May 9
    President Eisenhower signs the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Source
    Dow Jones: −0.2% that day · −5.1% a month later
  6. 6
    Tuesday, May 29 From the data
    Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.9%.
  7. 7
    Thursday, July 26
    Egyptian President Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal. Source
    Dow Jones: +0.3% that day · −1.4% a month later
  8. 8
    Monday, October 29
    Israel invades the Sinai, starting the Suez Crisis. Source
    Dow Jones: +0.2% that day · −4.1% a month later
  9. 9
    Wednesday, October 31
    British and French air attacks on Egypt begin. Source
    Dow Jones: −1.4% that day · −2.8% a month later

Biggest days of 1956

Best daysWorst days
May 29+1.9%Apr 10−1.6%
Dec 3+1.7%Jun 8−1.6%
Nov 1+1.6%May 22−1.5%
Feb 17+1.6%May 24−1.4%
Dec 5+1.5%Oct 1−1.4%

Volatility: 10.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

MonthCloseChangeHighLow
Jan470.74−3.6%485.78462.35
Feb483.65+2.7%485.71465.72
Mar511.79+5.8%513.03486.69
Apr516.12+0.8%521.05503.02
May478.05−7.4%516.44468.81
Jun492.78+3.1%492.78475.29
Jul517.81+5.1%517.81491.92
Aug502.04−3.0%520.95495.96
Sep475.25−5.3%509.82475.25
Oct479.85+1.0%490.19468.70
Nov472.78−1.5%495.37466.10
Dec499.47+5.6%499.47480.61

Other Markets in 1956

Change over the calendar year.

MarketChangeYear-end
Dow Jones+2.3%499.47
S&P 500 in 1956+2.6%46.67
1950195119521953195419551956195719581959

Dow Jones in 1956: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1956?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.3% in 1956, from 488.40 at the end of 1955 to 499.47. Its highest close was 521.05 on Apr 6 — a record that stood until September 15, 1958, and its lowest 462.35 on Jan 23. The biggest one-day fall was −1.6% on Apr 10 and the biggest rise +1.9% on May 29. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 0.7%.

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1956?

Highest: 521.05 on April 6, 1956. Lowest: 462.35 on January 23, 1956. It closed higher on 126 of 251 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on October 31, 1956?

British and French air attacks on Egypt begin. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4% that day, and was −2.8% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1956?

Yes — 15 record closing highs, the last at 521.05 on April 6, 1956.

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.