Dow Jones in 1959

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 16.4% in 1959, from 583.65 at the end of 1958 to 679.36. Its highest close was 679.36 on Dec 31 — a record that stood until January 5, 1960, and its lowest 574.46 on Feb 9. The biggest one-day fall was −2.2% on Aug 10 and the biggest rise +1.5% on Jun 10. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 14.4%.

Change in 1959

+16.4%

583.65 → 679.36

High

679.36

Dec 31

Low

574.46

Feb 9

After inflation

+14.4%

US CPI

Up days

145 of 253

longest run 10 up, 7 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1959

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1959

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

1
Thursday, January 1

Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba as the Cuban Revolution succeeds. Source

Dow Jones: +0.7% next trading day (Jan 2) · +1.8% a month later
2
Friday, January 2 From the data

sets the first of 39 record closing highs this year, at 587.59.
3
Friday, February 20 From the data

closes above 600 for the first time (602.21).
4
Wednesday, June 10 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.5%.
5
Wednesday, July 15

About 500,000 US steelworkers go on strike, beginning the 116-day steel strike. Source

Dow Jones: +0.4% that day · −0.4% a month later
6
Monday, August 10 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −2.2%.
7
Thursday, December 31 From the data

Last record close of the year: 679.36.

Biggest days of 1959

Best days		Worst days
Jun 10	+1.5%	Aug 10	−2.2%
Dec 8	+1.5%	Sep 3	−1.5%
Feb 10	+1.4%	Sep 8	−1.5%
Sep 24	+1.4%	May 7	−1.4%
Aug 20	+1.3%	Jan 7	−1.4%

Volatility: 9.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	593.96	+1.8%	597.66	583.15
Feb	603.50	+1.6%	603.50	574.46
Mar	601.71	−0.3%	614.69	601.71
Apr	623.75	+3.7%	629.87	602.94
May	643.79	+3.2%	643.79	615.64
Jun	643.60	0.0%	643.60	617.62
Jul	674.88	+4.9%	674.88	650.88
Aug	664.41	−1.6%	678.10	646.53
Sep	631.68	−4.9%	655.90	616.45
Oct	646.60	+2.4%	646.60	625.59
Nov	659.18	+1.9%	659.18	634.46
Dec	679.36	+3.1%	679.36	661.29

Other Markets in 1959

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+16.4%	679.36
S&P 500 in 1959	+8.5%	59.89

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

Dow Jones in 1959: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1959?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1959?

Highest: 679.36 on December 31, 1959. Lowest: 574.46 on February 9, 1959. It closed higher on 145 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on January 1, 1959?

Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba as the Cuban Revolution succeeds. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7% on the next trading day (January 2, 1959), and was +1.8% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1959?

Yes — 39 record closing highs, the last at 679.36 on December 31, 1959.

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.